Kohima| Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the Center has promised the people of Nagaland that it is determined to find an early solution to the decades-old Naga political issue. The home minister also spoke about the Centre’s commitment to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) that their demands would be discussed jointly by the Center and the state government after the assembly elections (on February 27).
The Home Minister appreciated the withdrawal of the vote boycott call by the ENPO and said: “The NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party)-BJP coalition government will come to power again and then all Naga problems will be resolved.”
He said, “Whatever is required, like budgetary allocation, more powers to the council, equitable development, the new NDPP-BJP government will work on these matters. I want to tell the people of eastern Nagaland that the solution to your problems is not far away.” “
Influential Naga body ENPO on February 4 withdrew its call to boycott the February 27 assembly elections in support of its demand for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state after receiving an assurance from the home minister.
Addressing an election rally in Nagaland’s Mon town, Shah said the next NDPP-BJP government will work with the central government to resolve various Naga issues.
The NDPP-BJP is contesting the 60-seat Nagaland Assembly on a 40-20 seat-sharing formula.
Shah, who is the first Union Home Minister to visit Mon district, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Ministry are aware of the Naga problems and the sentiments of the Naga people and all issues, including the border with Myanmar, will be dealt with with due respect.” ”
The Home Minister asserted that there has been a 70 per cent reduction in incidents of violence by extremists in the entire North Eastern region and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been withdrawn from 60 per cent areas of the North East.
Shah criticized the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the party and its leaders have a tendency to insult and malign Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that strong reactions are coming from all over the country against the language used by the Congress spokesperson against the Prime Minister.
Shah said, “After next year’s Lok Sabha elections, the Congress will not be visible even through a telescope. People will answer from the ballot box.”
Referring to Rajya Sabha member Phangnon Konyak, the home minister said the BJP was the first party to give a chance to a woman parliamentarian from Nagaland in the Upper House of Parliament.
He said, “Since becoming the Home Minister, I have seen the Naga tradition and culture with pride. The country always appreciates the Naga lifestyle and culture.”
Konyak translated Shah’s speech at an election rally in Hindi in Nagamis on Monday.
During his election speech, Shah told the gathering that he would spend Monday night in Mon city and address another election rally in Tuensang district on Tuesday.
The Home Minister is expected to meet representatives of ENPO and other organizations during his stay in Mon district.
