State to have High Court soon: Rio

January 21, 2022 108 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that the State would soon have its own High Court based in Kohima.

He said this while addressing the concluding day of the two-day 21st Triennial Conference-cum-60th Anniversary of Nagaland Dobashis’ Association at Town Hall, Zunheboto on Thursday on the theme “A year of Thanksgiving”.

Speaking as a special guest on the occasion, Rio further informed the gathering that a committee has been constituted after consultation with tribal councils to compile and codify customary practices of Nagas. He said the committee would publish a book, which would be distributed to all districts that could later be translated into various dialects for easy understanding, DIPR report stated.

He remarked that the rich Naga culture, tradition and customary laws could be preserved if the dobashis, tribal councils and gaon burahs (GBs) worked together.

He recalled that the posts of dobashis – or do bhashis (knower of two languages) – were created by the British as they did not know Naga dialects and Nagas did not know English either. Hence, he said these dobashis were appointed to act as interpreters between the native Nagas and British officials, adding that the dobashis were gradually given administrative powers by the British to resolve small cases.

Addressing the gathering, school education adviser KT Sukhalu said he too was the son of a dobashi, recalling that the dobashis were appointed to act as interpreters. On seeing their honesty and integrity, the dobashis were gradually given administrative powers, apart from their primary role as interpreters, he said, adding that the institution of dobashis grew slowly and now there were in thousands.

He urged the dobashis to pass on their wisdom to others, while also lauding Bloomfield Hill School for not only imparting formal education but also imparting traditional knowledge and practices to students.

Commissioner Nagaland, Rovilato Mor, who too spoke on the occasion, observed that the dobashis were the backbone of district administration. He said they were working hand-in-hand with the administration and hoped that they would continue to do so.

He mentioned that it was the responsibility of the dobashis to preserve customary laws. He said appointing dobashis had been beneficial to the district administration as the latter sometimes required grassroots information. He urged them to shoulder the responsibility of administration by disseminating current happenings of the areas under their jurisdictions.

Further, as the dobashis were intermingled with various tribes, he urged them to take decisions based on facts without being partial in disputes. This was stated in a DIPR press release.

Foundation stone for new Zunheboto DC office complex laid

Meanwhile, Rio also laid the foundation stone for new DC office complex at Zunheboto on Thursday in the presence of F&CS, LM&CP and taxes adviser Pukhayi Sumi, school education adviser KT Sukhalu, NDPP Zunheboto region officials, civil organisations, GBs and others.

While dedicating the foundation stone, ZTSBC pastor rev Dr Daniel Chishi expressed his gratitude on behalf of all Zunheboto citizens. He said the Almighty God has bestowed upon the chief minister to govern and lead the Nagas.

He lauded the chief minister for maintaining cordial relationship with Zunheboto district legislators and for having granted development work to the district, adding that the new DC office complex had been the aspirations of the people for the past decades that has now been fulfilled.

In his speech, Rio hoped and prayed that the new DC office complex would become a reality sooner than later. He claimed that the State government wanted to establish DC office complexes in all district headquarters so that all departments could function under one roof.

He said he had already sanctioned money for Tuensang and Zunheboto districts and assured that he would ensure that the funds were released on time so that the work could be completed as per schedule.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/state-to-have-high-court-soon-rio/248859.html