Eastern Nagaland require special development focus: Dr. Jamir

KOHIMA, JAN 29 (ANI): Former Nagaland chief minister and former governor Dr SC Jamir on opined that the Eastern areas of Nagaland require special attention for development, which they lack in areas such as road communication, education and healthcare system.

In a talk with news agency ANI Sunday at his residence in Dimapur regarding the demand for a ‘Frontier Nagaland state’ comprising of eastern areas of the Nagaland, Jamir mentioned that formation of Nagaland was decided by the representatives of the then Tuensang Frontier Division and the then Naga

Hills of Assam comprising of all 16 tribes of Nagaland, “who thought of having a separate state of its own.”

In pursuance of the decision of all 16 tribes, the state of Nagaland was created through unification of Tuensang Frontier Division and the Naga Hills of

Assam. Dr Jamir pointed out that the eastern areas of Nagaland are going to be important in the coming days, when the Look East Policy or Act East Policy is fully matured. Therefore, “ we have to hasten the speed of development in those areas”, he said.

The veteran Naga politician pointed out that the eastern areas have remained unadministered for a very long time and that several issues need attention.

The veteran Naga leader recalled that the eastern areas were unadministered for a long period of time.

He said the eastern areas had a lot of problems in

Sumi Hoho, frontal organisations call for free and fair election

DIMAPUR, JAN 29

(NPN): Sümi Hoho (SH) and all frontal organisations have called upon all Sumi civil society organisations (CSOs) and Sümi churches to continue to propagate “Clean Election” for a free and fair election.

This was among several resolution adopted at the consultative meeting held on January 26 to deliberate on the issues pertaining to the upcoming State Assembly elections. The hoho and the frontal organizations also called upon the village councils, colony councils and elders to fully cooperate with the law enforcing agencies and election officials for the smooth conduct and for free and fair election.

According to Sumi Hoho president I Nikheto Jimomi and general secretary Dr Vihuto Asumi, the meeting further resolved to strictly prohibit opening of camps and messes so as to avoid unwanted situations and maintain calm for free and fair election.

The house also entrusted and urged upon the Kükami (GBs), village coun- cils and colony councils to implement the prohibition resolution and ensure its adherence. Meanwhile, Sumi Hoho, also highlighted about the flow of illegal substances. While appreciating Zunheboto district law enforcing agencies for checking flow of intoxicated substances into the district, the meeting appealed to the agencies to further intensify the drive and also monitor sale of such substances and stringently penalise as per law so as to maintain desirable election environment. development, infrastructure, and administration. On the other hand, there has been significant development Mokokchung and Kohima districts, which were under the British administration, especially on the front of literacy. However, Tuensang Frontier Division (then under erstwhile NEFA) has remained isolated from the rest of the country. Dr. Jamir held the Nagaland government responsible for not paying enough attention to the matter. The former four time chief minister felt that the matter would have been best handled if the Nagaland government had taken up

NEW DELHI, JAN 29

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked Union ministers to reach out to the middle class with details of schemes which have benefitted it, sources said.

Chairing a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers here ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1, he said while government schemes have benefitted the poor and the marginalised, several initiatives have also been taken for the middle class that have made their life easier, the sources said. Modi wanted the Union ministers to carry facts while reaching out to the middle class with details of the initiatives which helped them in various ways. Hard copies of the presentations made during the meeting were given to the ministers to spread the message.

This was the first meeting of the Union Council of Ministers to be held in 2023.

As India marks 75 years of its Independence, the prime minister suggested that things and laws which were reminiscent of the British Raj be flagged and scrapped, the sources said.

Three presentations were made, including the one by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on the overall work done by the Modi government in its last eight years relating to the social and economic sectors.

Guaba’s presentation was a detailed one, emphasising on education and health sectors. A number of IITs, IIMs and IISs have been opened in far-flung areas of India, the cabinet secretary noted. Enrolment and retention of students have increased at all levels of education –primary, secondary and higher education, according to his presentation. Government school infrastructure both in terms of human and other resources have been transformed, he informed the meet. The number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats have gone up, benefitting students, he added. It may be mentioned that the Union Budget will be the last full-fledged budget of the Modi government before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which could be announced sometime in March next year.

Odisha Health minister, shot at by policeman, succumbs to injuries

BHUBANESWAR, JAN

29 (AGENCIES): Odisha

Health minister Naba Das, who was shot at by a policeman during an event in Jharsuguda district on Sunday, succumbed to his injuries.

Naba Kishore Das was shot at by an assistant subinspector of police in Jharsuguda district. Das received bullet injuries to his chest and was rushed to hospital for treatment. He breathed his last at Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

The ASI, identified as Gopal Das, fired at least four to five bullets when Naba Das stepped out of his car,

WSKH reacts to NMA’s plea

DIMAPUR, JAN 29 (NPN): Reacting to Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) appeal to various political parties in the State to issue party tickets to women candidates in the upcoming election, Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) said that such matter should be left to the political parties to decide.

In a joint statement, WSKH president Vikuto Achumi general secretary Shikavi Y Zhimomi while appreciating NMA for standing for the rights of Naga women in particular and Nagas in general, however, said that NMA as well as WSKH being a civil organization and not affiliated to any political organization/party “should not directly or indirectly get ourselves involved in party affairs”.

It said that issuing of party tickets to any intending candidates was a party matter which should be left to the political parties and civil society organizations should not get involved in political party affairs. WSKH said that such trends if allowed, would leave a bad precedent for the future generations.