Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has asserted that of all tasks ahead of the DAN-III Government, bringing solution to the Naga political problem will be the topmost priority, because unless this is resolved, there will be no peace and Nagas cannot progress as a people.
Addressing a mammoth gathering at a felicitation programme in his honour on Monday, Zeliang called upon all Nagas to shun tribalism, when dealing with the Naga political issue.
Zeliang appealed to the public to pave way for smooth operation and survey work, which he said could enhance the state revenue and contribute towards economic uplift of the people.
He said the module drafted by the Cabinet Sub-Cabinet Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) safeguarded by Article 371 (A) was in the best interest of the landowners and the state government, not found in other parts of the country. He said Nagaland is not revenue earning state and solely dependent on central funding for all development work.
He also said forest products have also been depleted due to rampant logging in the recent past and therefore, oil exploration could be the main avenue for adding revenue to the state.
Drawing comparison between oil at Changpang and Tssori in Wokha and Peren districts, he said availability of oil was confirmed and even extracted past in Wokha but had to cease due to certain problems.
Echoing the public voice for all Naga political groups (undergrounds) to come together under one common platform,
Zeliang said it was not an easy task, but reiterated, that people’s aspirations would be invincible, if all worked in unity and sincerity.
He also described tribalism as a hurdle to peace in Naga society and reaffirmed his Government’s resolve to rise above tribal lines and work cohesively for all round development so as to deliver the goods to the people. (UNI)
