Rio for early settlement of Naga problem

Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday urged the Centre for early solution to the Naga problem for permanent peace in the state. "We have benefited greatly during the last 16 years of relative peace that have prevailed in the state, thanks to the ceasefire and the ongoing peace process." the chief minister said while addressing a gathering at the Secretariat Plaza on the 67th Independence Day.

But for a lasting peace, he appealed to the Centre to reach a political settlement to the Naga problem at the earliest, so that permanent peace could be attained. He said the state government was committed to the task of constructing a super highway along the foothill areas, from Tizir in Mon district via Tuli and Dimapur town upto Khelma in Peren district with a perspective to connect this to Khonsa in Arunachal and to Haflong and Silchar in the south. The prospect of industrialisation in the state had received a new impetus with the recent approval of the revised revival plan of the Nagaland Pulp and Paper Mill, Tuli, he said. During 11th Plan period, the agriculture sector achieved a growth of 6.14 per cent as against the national average of less than 2 per cent. He said that the state government had also outlined a `Vision 2025` document that envisaged food security to all by 2025. "Our aim is to convert ourselves from a consumer society to a producing society," he said. On the usage of unexploited natural resources for sustainable development of the state, he said "my government is determined to ensure that the unique rights of the Naga people, as enshrined in the Constitution under Article 371A, is protected." Peaceful celebration of the day was also reported from other districts and sub-divisions of state. However, black flags were seen in four districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire demanding a separate state. The demand has been made by the Eastern Nagaland People`s Organisation (ENPO). PTI