Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Minister for PHE and Cooperation Jacob Zhimomi has backed the Centre’s decision to extend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in specified areas of Nagaland for another six months from October 1, saying national security and integrity remained the foremost priorities of a sovereign nation.
Responding to questions on the extension of AFSPA despite the prevailing ceasefire and peace agreements between the Centre and Naga groups, Zhimomi acknowledged that the overall situation in Nagaland remained peaceful.
“The central government, in their best wisdom, had decided to extend the Act,” he said, adding that national integrity and security remained the top priorities of any sovereign nation.
On reports of BJP workers demanding that the party contest all 60 Assembly seats in the next election, Zhimomi declined to comment, calling it a party organisational matter.
On the growing number of civil society organisations (CSOs) and tribe-based bodies pursuing different agendas, Zhimomi said divergent views were an essential part of democracy. He said Nagaland needed the “best minds” to take the State forward and that CSOs, as products of democratic processes, had a role in placing their views before the people. He said differences of opinion should help develop Nagaland as “one community and one Naga identity”.
While observing that the proliferation of tribe-based, block-wise and other organisations was “not good for a progressive society”, he acknowledged that such bodies might have been formed to serve particular interests.
“We should not try to demean anybody. We need all categories of people in all age groups, in all different experiences, past and present leaders, we all have to cohabit together in the interest and welfare of the people of Nagaland,” he said.
On the proposed 50:50 revenue sharing between Assam and Nagaland from oil and natural gas exploration in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB), Zhimomi said he had no further inputs at present. He maintained that such decisions and discussions would first have to take place with the Naga people.
He reiterated the importance of accommodating diverse views while maintaining focus on the welfare and development of Nagaland.