Page 10 - Nagaland

As Meghalaya, Nagaland head for elections, there is unrest in the air

When pundits are sceptical about Naga peace talks but all parties are united in seeking resolution of the issue before assembly polls, ethnic troubles may cause the situation to heat up in Meghalaya

President Droupadi Murmu to visit three northeastern states from Wednesday

Officials in Kohima said that on her arrival, the Nagaland government would accord her a civic reception at Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima on Wednesday.

Nagaland lacks development due to unresolved Naga political issue: CM Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that the state has been lagging behind in all forms of development due to the unresolved Naga political issue. The Nagas must unite and resolve the protracted issue to usher in a new dawn of progress, the chief minister said. For over 70 years, Naga people have suffered and were deprived of development while opportunities were also few owing to the unresolved issue, the chief minister said. No final solution has been achieved till date with the NSCN-IM remaining firm on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas. The chief minister said that if a solution to the Naga issue arrives at around this time, the state polls may have to be deferred as seats in the Assembly and Parliament have to be increased. The polls to elect 60 members of the Nagaland Assembly are due in the northeastern state by February 2023. However, the chief minister appreciated the recent developments with political talks continuing between th

Nagaland announces cash incentives for medal winners in Northeast Olympics

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced cash incentives for those who would secure medals for the state in the upcoming second 'Northeast Olympics'. Nagaland is sending the largest contingent of 305 members in the games that will take place in Shillong from November 10 to 16. Addressing the sportspersons at the send-off ceremony on Thursday, Rio, who is also the president of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA), announced Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 rewards for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. "The Northeast Olympics will be a launching pad for each of you and will provide you with opportunities to grow. We believe in you all and want you to do well," he said. Rio said the state government is making efforts to boost sports infrastructure in the state. NOA secretary general Abu Metha said that Nagaland's contingent is the largest in the games.

Demand for separate state by people of eastern Nagaland not wrong: CM Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said the demand for a separate state by the people of the eastern part of the state is "not wrong". Eastern Nagaland comprises six districts Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator which are inhabited by seven tribes of Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir and Yimkhiung. Nagas, we speak our mind and it is not wrong for them (Eastern Nagaland people) to say what their thinking and desire is but all these issues will be resolved," Rio said. During a function here, the CM was asked by reporters that Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) has decided not to participate in the ensuing Hornbill Festival and also asked 20 legislators from the region to resign in support of their demand for the separate state. We are talking with them and will give an appointment to ENPO during the union home minister's (proposed) visit to the state. If the prime minister also comes, we will request him to have a talk with .

Nagaland discoms see maximum aggregate loss of 60.39% in 2020-21: Report

Power distribution companies (discoms) in Nagaland reported the maximum aggregate technical and commercial losses of 60.39 per cent in 2020-21, followed by those in Jammu & Kashmir (59.28 per cent) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (51.94 per cent), showed a report. 'The Report on Performance of Power Utilities in 2020-21' by Power Finance Corporation stated that overall AT&C (aggregate technical & commercial) losses of discoms widened from 20.73 per cent in 2019-20 to 22.32 per cent in 2020-21. It also showed that discoms in Daman & Diu reported the least AT&C losses of 4.48 per cent, followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli (5.17 per cent) and Kerala (7.76 per cent). Nagaland had highest AT&C losses in 2020-21, but it reduced the proportion from 64.79 per cent in 2019-20 to 60.39 per cent in 2020-21. Similarly, Jammu & Kashmir reduced from 60.46 per cent in 2019-20 to 59.28 per cent in 2020-21. In case of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the AT&C losses increased

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio launches universal health insurance scheme

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday launched a universal health insurance scheme for the people of the state. The Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) will be implemented in convergence with the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Centre, state minister Neiba Kronu told a press conference. National Health Authority CEO RS Sharma was present virtually at the programme in which the scheme was unveiled. The aim of the scheme is to alleviate financial hardships due to hospitalisation expenses and prevent inaccessibility to healthcare on account of inability to afford it, Kronu said. The scheme has been categorised into CMHIS Employees and Pensioners (EP), and CMHIS (General). State government employees, pensioners, MLAs, ex-MLAs, and staff of state PSUs and other autonomous organisations who are eligible for monthly medical allowance or reimbursement along with their dependent family members will be part of the first category. The sum insured for this category is Rs 20 lakh per

Uttar Pradesh's merchandise exports surge 32% to Rs 60,578 crore

The electrical machinery/equipment segment grew nearly 90 per cent with shipments jumping to Rs 13,606 crore in the April-July 2022 from Rs 7,202 crore in the year-ago period.

Centre extends AFSPA in 9 districts of Nagaland till March 30, 2023

The Central government has extended the AFSPA in 9 districts of Nagaland including Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto from Saturday to March 30 next year

Unification of Naga inhabited areas, separate flag non-negotiable: NSCN-IM

A day before resuming peace talks with the government, insurgent group NSCN-IM said the outfit stands by its demand for unification of Naga inhabited areas and a separate flag and these are non-negotiable. Both the NSCN-IM and the government representatives have agreed to resume their peace dialogue on Wednesday here to find a permanent solution to the vexed issue. In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Nagalim Voice', the NSCN-IM also said it is ironic to point out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi who loves to advertise his achievements is expected to take the Naga issue to logical conclusion as the stalled Indo-Naga talks pick up the threads with focus on the Framework Agreement (FA) and formulated papers. The editorial said seven years ago, when Modi took the initiative to supervise the high-profile FA signing ceremony on August 3, 2015 at his residence, it generated much hype and hope going by the tone of his highly enchanting speech. The prime minister took pride in announcing to

Naga peace talks between Centre, NSCN-IM to resume in Delhi today

Peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) will resume later on Tuesday based on the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015

Centre to meet Naga leaders on Tuesday, kick-start peace talks

Nagaland has always been a battleground for the 35 Naga tribes

BJP firm on NDPP seat sharing deal for Nagaland polls: Party leader Kohli

The BJP is firm on its seat-sharing agreement with the ruling NDPP for next year's assembly elections, a senior leader of the saffron party has said. The BJP and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) have formulated a pre-poll seat-sharing agreement ahead of the elections to the 60-member House next year. As per the deal, the saffron party will contest 20 seats and the NDPP 40. "We (BJP and NDPP) are in the government and ours is a successful coalition. The seat-sharing agreement has been finalised. We hope to serve the people of Nagaland again," BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli told reporters here on Wednesday. Asked why the BJP did not consider contesting more seats, he said, "Our party has a history of continuing our alliance. While our partners may leave us, we do not have a history of leaving our partners." When reminded that the BJP had earlier come out of its alliance with the Naga People's Front (NPF) and joined hands with the NDPP

Naga groups commit to hold dialogue for overcoming political disagreements

The NSCN-IM and Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) on Wednesday committed to hold dialogues in order to move forward and live in peace by overcoming the distrust and disagreements between them on the Naga political issue. The two groups also resolved to guard themselves against rifts. The assertion was made as part of the September Joint Accordant' signed by member of the Collective Leadership of NSCN-IM, V S Atem and the coordinator of Working Committee of NNPG, Alezo Venuh during a meet facilitated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) here. They also agreed to honour the 'Covenant of Reconciliation' (CoR) of June 13, 2009 signed by the late Isak Chishi Swu of NSCN(I-M), late S S Khaplang of the insuregnt group NSCN(K) and Brig (retired) S Singnya in "letter and spirit". We are committed to holding dialogue in order to move forward, live in peace and overcome the cynicism, anxiety and disagreements that have caused us to see each other as foes and ..

Amit Shah meets Naga groups amid ongoing talks with insurgent outfits

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday met a wide spectrum of political leaders of Naga groups here and made it clear that the endeavour of the Modi government is to have a peaceful and prosperous Northeast. After the meeting, a home ministry spokesperson said efforts of the central government have been to resolve many complicated issues that came up during the ongoing talks with Naga groups like NSCN-IM in such a way that there is all round satisfaction at the conclusion of the parleys, but cautioned against any kind of speculation about the negotiations. The home minister met with a wide spectrum of the political leadership of Naga groups, led by Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri Neiphiu Rio, in New Delhi where many issues were discussed at the meeting, the spokesperson tweeted. Talks over the Naga issues have been in progress for a number of years and it has always been the endeavour of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a peaceful and prosperous ...

Nagaland has many unexplored resources, says minister to invite investments

Nagaland has many natural resources, which are yet to be explored and lying underground, state minister Neiba Kronu said, inviting corporates to invest in the state. Addressing the closing session of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Investment Conclave on Tuesday night, Kronu said Nagaland has fertile soil and can grow everything. "There is huge scope as all the resources in the state, including mineral resources, petroleum and gold, are unexplored. All these resources are unexplored and lying underground," he said. "Nagaland has a fertile soil and everything can grow here, while the produce has a different taste from other parts of the country," he added. Kronu, the minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, also thanked the corporates for coming forward for the development of the state. "We will expect your visit again. As you go back, share the good things about the state to others, and leave the bad here and forget it," he ...

FM Sitharaman to arrive in Nagaland for 3-day visit, inaugurate CSR event

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to arrive here on Monday on a three-day visit to Nagaland to participate in various programmes, including the state government's first conclave on corporate social responsibility and investment, an official said. She will inaugurate the CSR and investment event at Nagaland Baptist Church Council Convention Centre at 4 pm in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Sitharaman will also participate in the investors and bankers' meet with a specific focus on Nagaland and is likely to announce various CSR projects of corporate houses and industries during the conclave, the official said. More than 100 corporate delegates and investors from various parts of the country have confirmed participation in the three-day event and are expected to extend CSR funding up to Rs 160 crore, official sources said. Sitharaman will visit Mon on Tuesday morning to inaugurate the first branch of Axis Bank in the remote district. The union ministe

Nagaland to appeal SC for additional time to conduct urban local body polls

The Nagaland government will appeal to the Supreme Court to grant additional time for the conduct of the elections to the urban local bodies (ULBs), which are overdue for the last 12 years. The decision to this effect was taken during the Nagaland Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio here on Saturday, state government spokesperson and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Planning and Coordination and Land Revenue, Neiba Kronu told reporters. He said that during the meeting Advocate General K N Balgopal briefed the Cabinet on the Supreme Court's July 29 order directing the state government to conduct the elections of municipal councils to be held by January next year and listed the matter for compliance in February. Kronu said the Advocate General informed the Cabinet that the apex court has told to complete the process for Municipal and Town Council elections by January. He said that the Cabinet discussed the feasibility especially about the timing of election beca

Nagaland's NDPP, BJP dismiss merger speculation after 2023 assembly polls

Ruling alliance partners in Nagaland, NDPP and BJP, have dismissed Congress's speculation that the two parties will merge after the assembly elections due next year. Addressing a joint press conference on Friday, National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiba Kronu and BJP national spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon said that the speculation put forward by Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie and AICC Nagaland in-charge Ajoy Kumar on various occasions are a "figment of imagination". "The BJP is a national party and has its own principles while NDPP is a regional entity with its own principles. There is neither any agenda nor have we held any discussion over merger with BJP," Kronu, a cabinet minister, said. The two parties had last month announced that NDPP will contest 40 seats and BJP 20 constituencies in next year's assembly elections. "The two parties entered into a pre-poll alliance before the 2018 assembly elections. Since then, both BJP and NDPP

Thousands join rally demanding early solution for Naga political issue

Thousands of people joined a public rally organised by Nagaland People's Action Committee (NPAC) on Friday to demand an early solution to the Naga political issue. A meeting on the issue held in June at Dimapur under the aegis of the Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF) or village chieftains, and participated by civil society organisations, tribal bodies, public leaders and intellectuals, constituted the NPAC to press for an early solution. The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries in solidarity with the public rally had called for two-hour shutter down across the state from 10 am to 12 pm. While there was a mixed response over the call for shutter down in other districts of the state, including state capital Kohima, the commercial hub of Dimapur witnessed a massive turn out at the rally in the Super Market Complex where various leaders expressed their demand for an early solution. Armed with banners and placards saying "No Peace, No Progress" and "No politi