Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has submitted a representation to the state chief minister highlighting concerns affecting the people and the state and appealed the chief minister to address those issues at the earliest.
Merit in public service & IAS induction: Ex-PAN through its president Joshua Sumi and general secretary Tarie Zeliang expressed support for the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA in their demand for recognition of merit-based recruitment and promotion, especially for induction into the IAS cadre.
Ex-PAN said the state government’s refusal to entertain the demand created an impasse. The association cautioned that trampling merit in favour of nepotism and favouritism killed the spirit of competition, honesty, and justice, ultimately leading to malfunction, unaccountability, and disorder.
It stated that any past precedent of inducting non-competitive recruits into IAS was an error and should not be repeated. Ex-PAN urged the state government to do justice to the JCC’s reasonable demand.
Road connectivity: Ex-PAN highlighted Nagaland’s landlocked status and deplorable road conditions, especially in far-flung districts. The association noted the incomplete four-lane Dimapur–Kohima road despite almost a decade since construction began.
Pointing out that Kohima had often been cut off due to major landslide and rock falls, Ex-Pan asked what could be the condition in other parts of the state if the state capital itself can be cut off.
The union also stressed the urgent need to complete the Foothills Road project — a long-cherished vision for intra-Nagaland connectivity without passing through Assam — to ensure safe, direct access for all districts.
Airports: Appreciating efforts to remove encroachments around Dimapur Airport, Ex-PAN said much remains to be done to upgrade it to national standards.
Ex-PAN urged the state government to urgently take up the proposed international airport at Razhephema with the centre so as to ensure that Nagaland too could boast of having an international standard airport. The association said it was important that state capital was connected via air with the proposed airport at Chiethu. However, Ex-PAN said it was equally, if not, more important that proposed international airport Razhephema be taken up immediately.
Railways: Ex-PAN noted that Nagaland one of the oldest railheads at Dimapur, but lamented that the station has seen only minor facelifts since the British era.
Ex-PAN welcomed the sanction of Rs.300 crore for major upgradation. It, however, expressed regret that the project remained stalled for over two years due to land encroachment and landowner issues.
Stating that railways in India have proven to be the backbone of the economy, Ex-PAN stressed that Nagaland should not be left out while rest of the country grows. It appealed to the state government to resolve pending matters immediately for smooth implementation.
Appreciating the state government’s effort in ensuring equitable growth of the state and acknowledging the challenges faced, the association, however, said it was only through collective efforts of all stakeholders that the state can carry forward the dreams and aspirations of the people.
Therefore, Ex-PAN expressed hope that the chief minister would positively address the issues it raised at the earliest.