2nd round table meet between Assam, Naga civil societies held

KOHIMA: Continuing the process of rebuilding and strengthening the neighbourly relationship, the second round table meet between Assam and Naga civil societies,jointly organised by Asom Sahitya Sabha and Naga Hoho, was held here. Addressing the meet last evening, ex-minister of Nagaland Tiameren Aier expressed concern over the decades old boundary discord between Assam and Nagaland and questioned the “seriousness of political leaders in solving it by casting aspersions on each other without any achievement till now”. Calling upon the civil societies of both states to convince their respective governments and people to resolve the issue amicably, he said continuous dialogue through “enhanced cultural exchanges, trade and business and peopleto-people contact would help bring an amicable solution to the vexed problem”. “Unless we stand up together, the governments, both the Centre and states, will continue to have excuses and the problem will remain unresolved,” he said. Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing) Levi Rengma said, “We must remember and also accept the fact that Assamese and Nagas have to live together as neighbours whether we like or not. Hence, it will be in interest of both sides that we start loving and trusting each other.” “If we, the Asom and Nagas, keep on looking at the past mistakes and have misunderstanding, we will never progress and our people will suffer and continue to live in poverty,” he said. Naga Hoho president P Chuba Ozukum said, “If we have goodwill towards each other and unity of purpose, we can definitely overcome the challenges.” Stressing the need to strengthen the historical ties between the Assamese and the Nagas, Asom Sahitya Sabha (ASS) President, Druya Jyoti Bora said, “We are dealing with Nagas as a whole and not as a particular a tribe of Nagas.” (PTI)