Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

DAN weighs legal option: Kohima, Jan. 4: The Neiphiu Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland geared up for a legal battle with Delhi a day after losing the political one that culminated in President’s rule being clamped on the state. Rio said the coalition partners, led by his Nagaland People’s Front, were consulting legal experts to move court against the “murder of democracy”. “We will seek justice from the court,” he said, projecting his government as a political martyr. Governor K Sankaranarayanan tried his best to calm a state that would have least expected to become a candidate for central rule just before Assembly elections. He assured Nagas of a transparent and accountable administration with focus on health, education, rural development, better fiscal management, public grievances and improvement of the public distribution system. In a statement, he said the need of the hour was to deliver better governance and services to the people. He urged civilian government employees, th...

Rio asks Nagas to rise above parochialism: Kohima, Dec 25: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called upon the people to rise above narrow parochialism to broaden their outlook. Conveying his Christmas greetings, Mr Rio wanted all Nagas to eschew violence, ill will, hatred and all negative thoughts in the same way as God sent His goodwill towards mankind through his son Jesus on the first Christmas night. ''May God give all of us a forgiving heart, the wisdom and the vision so that the state could move in its right direction, and towards the right destination,'' he prayed. Calling upon all Nagas to introspect, and let Jesus be born in their hearts, Rio appealed to all to rededicate oneself to spread Gods love and affection all round in the true Christian spirit of ''forgive and forget'' as Christ has forgiven all of us. Source: United News of India (UNI)

Rio wants Myanmar to recognize NSCN (K) Guwahati, Dec 20: The Nagaland Government wants that the Mynamarese Junta recognize the NSCN (K) group of militants holed up in that country for early resolution of the Naga peace process. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said he had raised the matter with the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukharjee. “I am going to write to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to pressurize the military junta to recognize the NSCN (K) in their side of the border so that we can push forward the case,” he said. The NSCN(K) or Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) has been largely based at Myanmar since they had split up with the Issac-Muivah faction of the NSCN. As the peace process has entered a crucial stage with the Centre, there were efforts to cover all the Nagas under the possible solution. However, it is not so easy as the political boundary of India and Myanmar have separated many...

New Delhi, Dec 19: States of the North-east on Wednesday urged the central government to allocate sufficient funds for infrastructure development in the region. Addressing the National Development Council (NDC) meeting here, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said new thrust should be given to promote border trade with South East Asian countries for sustained economic development of the North-eastern region. “A new thrust needs to be given to the promotion of border trade under the Look East Policy,” he said. Rio said opening up of trade with South East Asian countries would not only boost the economy, but also remove the sense of isolation among the people. He said an expressway should be built along the strategic Indo-Myanmar border which will open up the area for trade and economic activities. "The Highway will not only open up the area for trade and economic development, but will also serve as the highway for patrolling the international border, and for checking of illegal tr...

Trust motion ends in controversy; NPA stakes claim: Kohima, Dec 13 (NPN): Political crisis looms large over the state after controversies surrounded the one-day session on Thursday where the no confidence motion was taken with the opposition claiming victory by 31-23 votes whereas the Speaker nullifying the record by asserting that the DAN passed through with a 23-19 margin. The contrast in the arithmetic could be explained by the fact that the opposition comprising of 17 Congress, 2 JD(U) and three Independent MLAs were joined by six former NPF legislators who had resigned on Wednesday but which was reportedly not accepted by the Speaker. In addition, cross voting by three from the ruling NPF camp -- Kheto, Tokheho and Tali -- added to the tally of 31 for the motion while the remaining 23 DAN members voting against the motion. The proceedings of the house on Thursday was disrupted after the entire opposition members stood in unison near the well of the house, singing “We Shall Over...