Congress to mediate to find solution to Naga political problem

Lamenting the delay in finding an amicable solution to the Naga political problem, Congress on Sunday said it would play an effective mediatory role and secure political and economic solution for Naga people.

"Given the opportunity, we shall play an effective mediatory role to secure political and economic solution for the Naga people," Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie said.

Stating that Naga people were complaining about the delay in finding a solution to the Naga political problem, he said respecting the will of the people should be the way to find out the solution. He was addressing a press conference at Dimapur after touring all the 11 districts of the state under the mission "NPCC Mass Contact for Change" from January 21 to 30.

The NPCC president accused the Naga People's Front (NPF) government of siphoning off funds from centrally sponsored schemes meant for poor people. Therie alleged that the government has paid only three days' wages under MGNREGA during the current fiscal. He said there were 4,15,000 job card holders in the state and if 100 days were to be multiplied with wages of Rs 167 per day, the amount would be about Rs 693 crore per year.

"Where has this money gone? This money has been missing for the last three years," Therie alleged.

Claiming that Old Age Pension Scheme has also not been paid, he alleged that Food and Civil Supplies Department was receiving enough commodities but it was not reaching the people. He said DAN government has "miserably failed" to deliver during the 12 years of its rule.

Assuring good governance, the NPCC appealed to the people of Nagaland to wake up from years of suffering under NPF rule and work to bring change in governance of the state.

"NGOs may raise their voice, but cannot change the government. So we appeal to them to join the political system so that we can salvage the situation," he said.