Oct 24, 2011

Nagalim: ‘Peace For Development and Development For Peace’


Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated on Saturday [22 October] that the Naga issue needs to be resolved for greater development to occur in the region, which would create a win-win scenario.

Below is an article published by Zee News

With decades of insurgency affecting Nagaland's economic progress, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said early resolution of the vexed Naga issue was crucial to the implementation of various developmental plans in the state.

 

"Early and lasting solution to the vexed Naga political problem will be critical to ensure success in implementation of various development plans," he said addressing the National Development Council meeting here. 

The Centre has been holding talks with NSCN-IM since 1998 to find a solution to the Naga problem. In July, the Centre and the NSCN-IM had announced that they "narrowed" down differences and were working out a settlement in the "shortest possible time". 

Rio said state government's strategy of 'peace for development and development for peace' has paid dividends to some extent and there was a need for sustained efforts to fuel economic growth in the state. 

Noting that improving connectivity in the northeastern region was crucial for economic development, Rio said his government has set a target of 10 per cent growth rate for Nagaland during the 12th Five Year Plan.

"The North Eastern states except Assam is primarily dependent on road transport. The region shares thousand kilometres of international border with five countries. Development of road network deserves highest priority," he said. 

He also complimented a proposal mentioned in the Approach Paper for 12 th Plan to open road connectivity from North East to Myanmar. 

"Construction of a highway along the Indo-Myanmar border in addition to opening the area for trade will also check illegal trafficking of drugs and arms," he said.