CM Rio calls on Lotha community to work for progressive society

August 31, 2022 28 Views No Comment

Wokha, August 31 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called on the Lotha community to work hard for a progressive society.

Wokha district is fertile and blessed with so many minerals including oil and natural gases as well as a river that is producing hydro power, he said, while urging the Lotha community to propagate the slogan, “Do not eat the seeds, nurture it and eat the fruits.”

Speaking at the inaugural programme for the Lotha Hoho (Lotha Tribal Council) building on August 30 at Wokha town, the Chief Minister recalled his trip to Wokha in 2018 wherein the Lotha Hoho requested for construction of new tribal council hall.

The CM expressed appreciation to the Government of India and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for sanctioning the amount for construction of the building and congratulated the Lotha community for the new building.

According to a DIPR report, Rio briefly spoke about the Naga political issue and said ‘that the negotiating parties have already signed the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position which means they have signed to be with the Indian Union, but to recognise the unique history of the Nagas and to coexist with a new relationship of the two entities.’

He further stated that the present government is sincere and committed to resolve the Naga issue and added that a settlement should come at the earliest. If the settlement does come, ‘we will not obstruct but will pave the way in Naga wisdom and tribal wisdom and resign for the interim government and think in terms of how Nagas should live as a united family and progress,’ Rio is said to have stated, as per the DIPR report.

Stating that Nagaland is a special status state, Rio called on the ‘guardians of the customary law and traditions’ to know the true meaning of the institution and work accordingly for the welfare of the Naga community.

He also urged the people to think positively and know how to coexist in peace and harmony with one another for a progressive Naga society.

The Chief Minister also stated that there are about 15 schemes directly benefiting the farmers and appealed the District Administration and concerned departments to monitor the schemes and policies so that they are properly implemented, and to ensure that both Central and State schemes and policies reaches the targeted people.

On the matter of internal differences going on between the Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) and Wokha Town Baptist Church (WTBC), Rio appealed all parties to come to an amicable settlement so that good sense prevail among the community and for the benefit of the Lotha community, the DIPR report stated.

Chief host of the programme, Deputy CM Y Patton thanked Rio on behalf of the Lotha community. He also appreciated the Lotha Hoho team and all involved in completing the building. Earlier the dedicatory prayer for the new building was offered by Rev Tsopemo Ngullie.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/cm-rio-calls-on-lotha-community-to-work-for-progressive-society