(story used in 'Nagaland Page', Dec 18, 2022)
Corruption is a reality. "There was a pattern in depriving Eastern Nagaland"
Tuensang/New Delhi
The official panel headed by Advisor, North East, A K Mishra continued their consultations with ENPO and tribal leaders in Eastern Nagaland the region for the second consecutive day on Saturday.
The team will visit Panghsha on Sunday and then reach the state capital Kohimafor further discussions on the matters with Chief Minister Neiphu Rio, other ministersand other senior officials including Chief Secretary J Alam.
No details of the deliberations in Tuensang meetings for the last two days are being shared.
Local sources only said the 'spirit' is high in Eastern Nagaland and the community people feelstrongly that a sincere attempt is being made to understand the gravity of the issues and grievances ofthe people.
A few tribal leaders from the six districts Tuensang, Mon, Shamatore, Longleng, Noklak and Kiphire onSaturday - when quizzed - on Saturday applauded the statement by Nagaland Rural Development Minister Metsubo Jamir that a separate Eastern Nagaland State will create more avenues and opportunities for development.
"Some of us know him intimately... Metsubo was born in Longleng and he saw Tuensang district during
his infancy and student days. His father N I Jamir was a Deputy Commissioner in Tuensang. If he is sincere about our people and place today, we are not surprised at all," one community leader told 'Nagaland Page' over phone.
According to a DIPR bulletin and the matter reported by AIR Kohima and also local media,Nagaland RD Minister Metsubo (Metsubu) Jamir has said that a separate Eastern Nagaland state will create more avenues and opportunities for development.
An NDPP legislator Jamir, who represents the prestigious Mokokchung town, also said he 'personally and morally supported' the demand of the Eastern Nagas for a separate state.
'Mutsubo' in Ao also means -- fearless !!
Interestingly, Mutsubo's dad N I was a popular Minister and his brother Alemtemshi Jamir and sister-in-law Banu Z Jamir have served the state as Chief Secretary. Mutsubo's wife is also former Chief Secretary Toshi Aier's sister.
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"We are going ahead with our struggle for the last so many years....Things are still too early; but let us allbe optimistic. Life is all about optimism," another community leader in the ENPO region said.
More detailed or contentious issues have not figured at the discussions so far with the Mishra-headed panel, sources said.
"It is just too early, the child is yet to be born, why talk now where will be the ENPO capital or otherwise.
Once an official clearance is announced, things will move".
A memorandum too has been submitted wherein the applicants have presented a list of 'failed projects'in the ENPO region.
"To say, these are failed projects also may be wrong. They failed to materialise because nothing moved on ground and money got spent on papers," a source remarked.
One paper titled 'Sectoral allotment for special package for Eastern Nagaland during 2012-13' when Neiphiu Rioran the NPF-led regime and T R Zeliang was the Planning Minister says -- power projects worth Rs 3000 croreand Roads worth Rs 15,000 crore were sanctioned.
Now amid speculation that things have come under the scanner and 'several skeletons' would be out from the 'secretly maintained cupboards', a section of ENPO leaders says -- "If you say corruption, we also agree. Say one Minister fromour region looked after one such major portfolio...Roads, Power, Housing or Agriculture.
If that minister and officials were corrupt, it should hit the entire state. But there is a pattern in negligence and corruption. Other regions got some development. In our case, money meant for our region simply vanished".
ends
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