Minister for Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Imna Along participating in the discussion on Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023, reminded the house that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has always given recognition to the Nagas and to the tribals of this Nation.

“Let me remind this August house, the Bharatiya Janata party leadership has always given recognition to the Nagas and to the tribals of this Nation,” said Along.

Making a move to differentiate BJP and RSS, the Minister said, “Many at times the notion that goes out that BJP is against the tribals or the Nagas, much tense need to be corrected. The BJP party is a Nationalist political party everyone knows that and the RSS is an ideological organization. We are in the BJP party not in the RSS organisation.”

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Lauding the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio since the time of the then Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had successfully entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Naga groups, Along said, today at the time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “we entered into framework agreement, we entered into a possible settlement to come,” adding that, Article 371 (A) has come to live since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over.

Minister Along said the saffron party has always worked for the regional aspirations and it recognizes the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and recognizes the needs of the Naga people in Nagaland.

“Today the BJP led NDA Government under Narendra Modiji leadership has given full rank to all us to speak and express our needs and protect ourselves,” added Along.

Along also reaffirmed that the central leaders have given its assurance with regard to Nagaland being exempted from UCC and Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023.

Particularly mentioning the Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023, Along said, “Recognizing that the BJP Nagaland led by BLP leader Y. Patton, myself and all the BJP leaders supports Chief Minister and this August house, any resolution to exempt according to what is needed for our people this Forest (Conservation) Amendment act 2023.”

Further, Minister Along appealed the house to, “believe in the Central leadership and work together to protect our people because this is the need of the hour.”

“If you look at all the conversations and discourse that has happened today in the presence of our Chief Minister, the leader of the Nagas today, even with regards to UCC. I was witness under Chief Minister’s leadership with the Cabinet, the Home Minister of this country Amit Shah Ji stated very clearly and CM reiterated that,” he said.

“On regard with this Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, Union Minister Bhupender ji had already said that we will be exempted from it so it is still not an act, it is going to be,” the BJP MLA also stated.