Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio said Nagaland as a State in the Indian Union, was also pursuing a final solution to the political issue which was as old as the nation itself. He was speaking at the 75th Independence Day celebration at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, here Sunday.
Rio pointed out that Naga Political Groups (NPGs) have been in ceasefire with the Centre which led to peace talks making significant progress over the years and subsequently giving hopes to the people.
Such a situation has provided space for both sides to understand each other’s position and reach a broader consensus on most of the issues, Rio said. He expressed sincere appreciation to government of India on behalf of Nagas for recognizing the unique history and position of the Naga people and for acknowledging the problem as a political issue.
Rio said the State government has played the role of active facilitator to the “ongoing Indo-Naga political peace talks” and that it has also formed a parliamentary committee in order to give impetus to the peace talks and help arrive at the final solution at the earliest. Subsequently a core committee was constituted to ensure a focused approach by the legislators as facilitators.
The core committee has appealed to the negotiating parties to move forward with a positive approach of mutual respect and set aside preconditions in the greater interest of the people’s cry for long term peace. Appeals also have been made to the NPGs to make serious effort towards unity and reconciliation, Rio said.
He further said all the elected members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly had come together irrespective of party affiliations on the Naga political issue and common people’s issues after listening to the voice of the people.
On border issue, CM said the State government took proactive steps along with Assam government to de-escalate the tense situations which broke out along the inter-state border. A select committee of the House has also been constituted to examine all aspects of the Assam-Nagaland border issue since it has to be settled amicably by the two State governments with the participation of local communities from both sides, Rio said.
On Covid-19 issue, Rio said that although the second wave of Covid had tested the capacities and resilience of the people, preventive measures were put in place on time as the health infrastructure was augmented simultaneously.
Paying homage to those who succumbed to the virus, he appealed to all citizens of the State to follow Covid-appropriate behaviours at all times, besides urging all eligible persons to take vaccine not only for themselves, but in the greater interest of their family members and community.
He commended the villages that had attained 100% vaccination and hoped that remaining villages too would proactively work to achieve similar feat.
He also lauded healthcare workers and frontline workers in the State and across the world for their enormous sacrifices for the cause of humanity.
He expressed his appreciation to civil society organisations, churches, village authorities and all citizens of the State for cooperation during the challenging times of “unavoidable” lockdowns.
Rio reminded the people that their conduct, behaviour and safety precautions would largely determine the level of impact in the event of any further future wave
He also congratulated the Indian contingent at the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympic Games for the remarkable performance.
The chief minister urged Nagas to take a pledge to rededicate themselves to work sincerely for bringing positive developments to those areas where the State was lagging behind so that Nagaland could be counted amongst the most developed and progressive States of the country.
He further called on everyone to put in their best efforts to make Nagaland shine brighter and work towards a situation where peace prevailed and platform was provided to youth to have equal opportunities and compete with rest of the world.
Earlier, the chief minister hoisted the national flag, took the Rashtriya Salute and inspected the parade accompanied by DGP Nagaland, T.J. Longkumer.
Later, he gave away Governor’s Gold Medals for 2020.
Altogether 11 contingents, including 1st Assam Right Rifles Battalion, 78th CRPF Battalion, 37th BSF Battalion, DEF Kohima, 4th NAP Battalion, 10th NAP (IR) Battalion, 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Battalion, STF, Home Guards & Civil Defence, Nagaland Police Central Brass Band, PTS and 14th Assam Rifles Pipe Band took part in the parade.
The parade commander was 10th NAP (IR) deputy commandant Nikho Venuh, while 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Battalion assistant commander Medemkala Tzudir was the second-in-command.
Entertainment & cultural presentations: Divine Connection band sang “Vande Mataram”, while “Ode to My Motherland”, which was specially composed by Atso Chasie for the occasion, was performed by Atso Chasie and team. T Yepthomi sang “Teri Mitti” while her team performed a dance.
Five cultural troupes also participated in the event. Old Shena Cultural club Kohima (Sumi) presented a Sumi warrior dance known as Aphilo, which is performed by brave and strong men folk signifying victory over enemies.
Pochury Cultural Club Kohima (Pochury) performed a folk dance to depict victory over evil, besides singing Tsethomaria and Maehnyo-hei-ia. Zhavame Union Kohima (Chakhesang) cultural troupe performed ZUK, which is a song of praise, while Aong Reju Club Organisation Kohima (Ao) performed the hornbill dance. Jakhama Youth Cultural club (Angami) presented a folk song dance called Melo Phita.