Admitting that all-round development in the Eastern region has been neglected in the last 60 years, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, stated that the state government has already recommended the formation of an autonomous region for the people of eastern Nagaland.
Delivering his budget speech in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Kohima on Monday, Rio reiterated that the state government will render all possible efforts in making this a reality
“The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) had been demanding a separate state called ‘Frontier Nagaland’ since a decade back. Although there has been tremendous progress in the 60 years of our journey as a state, I agree that a lot more remains to be done in terms of all-round development, particularly in the eastern districts,” said the Chief Minister.
Rio remarked that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has, on more than one occasion, given assurance that the Central government will work out an arrangement in consultation with the ENPO and the state government to address their aspirations for a degree of autonomy and speedier economic development.
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Rio also informed that the state government has collectively urged upon the Government of India to extend a special economic package for the eastern region and exuded confidence that this will be realised and implemented in the coming months.
Nagaland being a small state, Rio said ‘any division of it will further weaken the Nagas and any call for division pains us’, adding that they are for greater unity and continue to desire the integration of the contiguous Naga-inhabited areas to live under one administrative umbrella.
He reminded the house that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted 6 resolutions for integration of the contiguous Naga-inhabited areas in 1964, 1970, 1994, 2003, 2015 and 2018.
Calling upon every section of the Nagas to strengthen their bonds of oneness and work as one united force to uplift the eastern region of Nagaland, Rio said, “While the developmental deficits and economic challenges of the eastern region needs to be addressed with serious intent, I must place on record our position that we will always stand for the unity of the Naga people at all costs.”
Further, Rio pointed out that there is great potential for growth and progress in the eastern areas of Nagaland, and that the people have tremendous capacity to contribute towards Nagaland’s rise and India’s growth.
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