Engineer-in-Chief, department of power, Er. Moa Aier on Friday said lack of development in the state was due to misuse of Article 317 (A) by the people. He made this statement while addressing the inaugural programme of two-day “The Myriad Fest” Vol. 2 organized by Immanuel College, Dimapur at college campus here on Friday.
Er. Moa said the misuse of article 371 (A) created difficulties for the government to take up developmental activities in the state,
Questioning whether Nagas were enjoying or suffering under article 371 (A), he cited examples of power cuts, bad roads , water scarcity, breakdown of law and order, poor public facilities and others. He said article 371 (A) were supposed to protect the land and resources of the Naga people, but has been misused for which people were suffering.
“Instead of using it to protect us, we are using it to inflict pain upon us”, he said.
He also cited incomplete four – lane road project between Dimapur and Kohima as another example of people abusing the article in the state.
Highlighting on the conditions of power supply in the state, he said people complain about power cuts, but when government approach them to set up power stations, or generating stations, they did not want to provide land, which made government helpless.
Er. Moa also described the issue of water scarcity in Kohima “man – made”, and pointed out that there were plenty of water sources and streams in nearby villages around capital, but the villagers did not allow water pipes to cross their land.
Meanwhile, he encouraged the students to know the balance between work and play, and advised them to not attend college just to get degrees. The two – day fest will witness several activities like Cosplay, art competition, mobile gaming, spelling bee, poetry slam, fitness competition, voice of the Myriad, Mr & Miss Myriad, dance competition, traditional games competition, special appearance and DJ night.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by asst. professor, Dept. of economics Ellika N Chishi, invocation by warden, boys hostel Gokwang Konyak, Principal Immanuel college Thingujam Sharatchandra Singh welcomed the gatherings and special number by 1st runner up – voice of the Myriad 2023 Merangtemsu.