KOHIMA, April 16: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday asserted that the eastern part of the state is considered backward because these regions were left unadministered by the British. He stated that only in 1957 was its headquarters established at Tuensang as the Naga Hills Tuensang Area. In contrast, the mainland of Nagaland received Christianity earlier, followed by education, which is why the eastern Naga areas started very late in terms of education.
Rio made the remarks while attending the 8th Eastern Naga Student Federation (ENSF) Cultural Fiesta cum General Conference as the Chief Guest. The event was held at the Parade Ground in Tuensang under the theme “Deliverance through Ethnicity Concord.”
He highlighted that the Union Government has declared the Right to Education for all ages and said Nagaland is in the process of providing quality education to enable students to compete at the national level. The Chief Minister acknowledged that there is still much to be done in the areas of education, healthcare, road improvement, communication, and infrastructure development in Eastern Nagaland. He reaffirmed that his government is committed to the upliftment of the region.
Urging unity, Rio called on every Hohos (a federation of Naga tribes), tribal leaders, and national workers to come together and form a strong bond to ensure the successful conclusion of ongoing peace talks.
He also reiterated the government’s strong opposition to the restriction of Free Movement between India and Myanmar in the border areas inhabited by Nagas. Addressing another concern, he urged student communities, the administration, and the police to exercise vigilance in issuing Inner Line Permits (ILP) and Indigenous Certificates to prevent illegal migration.
Asserting that Nagas are fortunate due to a British-era act safeguarding their unique cultural and customary laws — which continue to be observed — Rio encouraged students to protect and uphold the rich historical, cultural, and traditional values of their people.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs K.G. Kenye, Minister for Housing and Mechanical P. Bashangmongba Chang, and President of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) A. Chingmak Chan, among others.
Since 2010, the ENPO has been agitating for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or a separate state comprising six eastern Nagaland districts — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang. These areas are inhabited by seven backward tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
Officials said the state government has submitted their comments on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) concerning the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 6 last year.
A senior official noted that two rounds of discussions have already taken place — one in New Delhi and another in Chumoukedima, Nagaland. Substantial progress has been made, and the government is hopeful that any remaining concerns of the ENPO will be addressed.
