GUWAHATI: Nagaland Governor R.N Ravi has blamed “a deeply entrenched network of vested interests” for hindering peace in the resource-rich state.
In his Independence Day speech on Saturday, Ravi, who is also the interlocutor for the peace talks, said that there has “ironically been a relative decline of human resource, which was more obvious during the recent decades.”
“When the security forces and the Naga armed groups agreed to suspend operations against each other paving the way for political settlement, the legitimate expectation of the people of Nagaland was dividends of peace – freedom from fear of guns, better health, better education, better infrastructure, better livelihood opportunities, an atmosphere to dream and an eco-system to pursue their dreams,” he said.
“Incongruously, a deeply entrenched network of vested interests has emerged during the period which has misappropriated the dividends of peace and did not allow them to reach the people. There is mass scale mayhem and miscarriage of dreams and expectations of the people of Nagaland. It is unendurable and unacceptable,” Ravi said.
Reminding, the people of Nagaland their natural right to a dignified future, he called for strengthening institutions of accountability, justice and fair play.
The Governor also sought the cooperation of the people to help “break the vice-like grip of the vicious circle of vested interests” and usher in peace and prosperity in the state.
“We will have to break the vice-like grip of the vicious circle of vested interests and make way for the virtuous circle of peace, prosperity and happiness for our people. This cannot be achieved by government alone. In this endeavour, we need the co-operation of the two million people of Nagaland,” Ravi said.
Referring to the wave of positive transformation and growth other parts of the region and country, he regretted that such impressive changes have apparently bypassed Nagaland, despite being endowed with “one of the finest human and natural resources.”
“The impressive changes for the better are quite visible in the neighboring states of the region. Regrettably, the waves of positive change and growth seem to have been bypassing Nagaland,” Ravi said.
“Unfortunately today it has the dubious distinction of the worst performing state in the country including the North East region on almost all the significant indicators of human development. Our human resource, which is our most precious asset, crucial to fulfill the Naga dreams and aspirations, is on steady decline,” he said.