Flashback: Former Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit to Nagaland

Naga Republic News

Former Prime Minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee not only recognised the “unique history” of the Nagas, but also admitted that mistakes had been committed, and lamented the unnecessary spilling of blood in the state.

“Ami laga bhai aru boyni-khan. Aami Nagaland-te matiye karone besi khusi paise dei. (My dear brothers and sisters. I am very happy to be amid you on the soil of Nagaland.)”

Seen in this file photo is former Prime Minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee and a much younger looking Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio

This was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, opening his speech at a public reception in Kohima on October 28, 2003. He went on to speak about the “unique history” of the Nagas — the sentence that Nagas, and especially the NSCN (IM), have always remembered.

Launching the BSNL mobile telephone service in Kohima, he said, “Let the talks continue, let the dialogue proceed, let distances be removed, let confidence be built. Let us together create peace and accelerate development.”

Later Vajpayee reviewed the political situation and progress of developmental activities in Nagaland in the backdrop of on-going Naga peace process and the mounting campaign by NGOs for an integrated Naga administrative area.

He held separate meetings with the governor, the chief minister and the state council of ministers accompanied by senior civil and police officials after his arrival at Raj Bhavan from Dimapur.

Due to inclement weather, Vajpayee’s arrival at Kohima was delayed by nearly three hours as his entourage had to travel on the bumpy and serpentine 75 km stretch of NH-39 from Dimapur airport after the flight by helicopter was called off.

Vajpayee was accompanied by three Union ministers C P Thakur, Bijoya Chakraborty and Ashok Pradhan.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Indira Gandhi stadium on in the outskirts of the town where he was accorded a public reception.

Vajpayee also attended the first convocation of Nagaland University at the civil secretariat in the afternoon before meeting delegations of political parties and Naga NGOs.

Earlier, a few months ahead of his visit to Nagaland, Vajpayee had also announced a Rs 365 crore “peace bonus”” for Nagaland. Vajpayee said he had decided to extend a “peace bonus” to the state by converting the Rs 365 crore extended as “ways and means loan”” into a “one-time grant””.

Following is the text of the Press Statement given by the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Kohima on the last day of his visit October 29, 2003:

“This is my first visit to Nagaland as Prime Minister. I have been to other states in the North East. In January 2000, I had attended a Conference of Governors and Chief Ministers at Shillong. Based on the suggestions received from different States, at the end of that conference, a package for socio-economic development and improving the security scenario was announced. The implementation of these schemes is being closely monitored. Out of a total of Rs. 880.24 crore sanctioned so far under this package for Nagaland, an expenditure of Rs.558.51 crore has been incurred.

After my arrival in Nagaland, I have held discussions with the Governor, Chief Minister and representatives of various political and social organizations. Based on the proposals received from the State Government from time to time, I am pleased to announce the following projects/schemes for further accelerating the process of socio-economic development in Nagaland. The total amount earmarked for this package will be around Rs. 1050 crore.

1) The Government of India, jointly with the State Government, will draw up a plan for creating 25,000 employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth in Nagaland. This will be implemented over the next two years. The plan will focus mainly on agriculture, village industries, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants, bamboo products, tourism and transport. Approximately, Rs. 250 crore will be provided to implement this plan. Funds will come from banks, financial institutions, and State/Central Plans. The Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP), run by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), will be provided adequate funds. Rs. 10 crore will be provided to KVIC to set up a training institute oriented towards entrepreneurship development and employment generation.

2) Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, will be connected with the East-West Corridor under the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP). Under this, the 81-km-long Kohima-Dimapur section will be four-laned at an estimated cost of Rs.400 crore. Work will start in the year 2004-05. As an immediate measure, the Border Roads Organisation will undertake improvement of this road at the earliest.

3) State Government has proposed certain roads within the State in Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Wokha districts. The proposal of State Government will be examined and vetted by the DONER. Based on the analysis and need, roads worth Rs.75 crore will be taken up over three years period.

4) A 23 MW Thermal Power Project, which will run on heavy fuel, will be funded by the Government of India and implemented through Central Sector Organization (BHEL) at a cost of around Rs.105 crore.

5) Government of India will provide Rs. 35 crore for the development of infrastructure of Nagaland University at Lumami. This work will be implemented by a Central Sector Organisation. In addition, the Kohima campus will also be developed, for which Rs. 10 crore will be provided.

6) Government of India will provide Rs. 15 crore for building a new Sainik School at Kohima in first phase, subject to the condition that free land is provided by the State Government. The construction of this school will also be implemented by a Central Sector Organisation.

7) Government of India will set up a Regional Institute for Information Technology in Nagaland, for which Rs. 20 crore will be provided. However, land will have to be given by the State Government free of cost.

8) Rs.10 crore will be provided for upgrading the higher and high schools for science education and facilities for girls’ education. This will also include the 11 schools requested by the State Government. The high school building complex in Wakching town will also be covered under this.

9) The district hospitals at all district headquarters including, Mon and Tuensang, will be upgraded at a cost of Rs.15 crore. In addition, Rs. 10 crore will be provided for rural health centers, which will be spent strictly through the process of communitisation.

10) State Government has constructed one referral hospital at Dimapur, which has not been operationalized so far. I understand the Government has invited bids from different organizations to run the hospital. A joint team consisting of officers of Union Ministry of Health and Department for Development of North Eastern Region, along with officials of State Government, will assess realistic requirement of funds. Government of India will provide necessary assistance based on recommendations of this team.

11) The women of Nagaland play an important role in socio-economic development of the State. Rs.15 crore will be provided for self-help groups and for empowerment of women. This will be worked out by DONER and funded by the respective Ministries of the Government of India.

12) Over a period of three years, Rs.15 crore will be provided to control jhum and for development of horticulture in the State.

13) A Centre for Development of Horticulture, Floriculture and Medicinal Plants will be set up at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Rs. 5 crore will be provided to support the Bamboo Mission set up by the State Government.

14) Nagaland has immense potential for tourism development, especially adventure, culture and eco tourism. However, this potential has not been tapped so far. A joint Task Force, comprising representatives of the Government of India, State Government and private sector tourism industry, will be set up to prepare an action plan based on public-private partnership. Another tourism circuit to link areas in Northern Nagaland, particularly Mon district, will be developed. To begin with, Rs. 25 crore will be provided over the next three years for this purpose.

15) Rs.10 crore will be provided for development of eco-friendly municipal waste treatment plants at Dimapur, Kohima and other towns. The scheme will be prepared by the Ministry of Urban Development.

16) Rs. 18 crore will be provided for completing the remaining works at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima in a period of two years. This will be subject to project report being vetted by the Sports Authority of India and monitored by DONER.

17) The State Government’s proposal for revival of Nagaland Paper & Pulp Company, Tuli, will be given a fresh consideration, involving the concerned ministries of GoI, State Government and experts.

18) Survey is going for extending the railway line from Dimapur to Kohima, a distance of 110 km. 40% of the survey work is complete and the rest will be completed by June next year. Thereafter, a view will be taken on this project.”