Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said the government of India has recognised the unique history, culture, and traditions of the Nagas.
“The Nagas have to unite and find a settlement and the students and youth have to work together to build our future,” said chief minister Rio.
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Neiphiu Rio said this while addressing the 71st Chakhesang Students’ Union’s general conference, coinciding with Pfutseromi Village Students Union platinum jubilee.
The Nagaland chief minister attended the event organized at Pfutseromi village in Phek district as a guest host.
He also said the Nagas have been suffering for the last seven decades due to non-solution to the Naga political issue.
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“But we have to be reasonable and responsible in a manner that what is possible and what is not and what is achievable,” said Neiphiu Rio.
He said many people talk about politics but there is hardly anyone to act and do the corrective measures.
Saying that the present student leaders are the future of the society, Rio said, “Therefore, we have to take life seriously and learn to equip ourselves to face the challenging world.”
On the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) issue, Rio said the state government demanded that the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFR) 1873 be enforced in Nagaland, to which the Centre has been kind enough and agreed.
The Inner Line Permit (ILP) was introduced by the British government in the BEFR 1873 in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
The ILP was introduced in Manipur recently, making it the fourth state in India to come under the system.
He said the Nagas, including 6 Schedule tribes of the Northeast, have been exempted and protected from the CAA.
Union home minister Amit Shah also assured that the CAA would not affect the Nagas, he said.
“But our people should use ILP carefully. Otherwise, the danger will come from our own people who will misuse it. So, it is the duty of the Nagaland government that the ILP is enforced properly,” Rio added.
He said education is a very interesting and serious business as it is in one of the best things that have happened to the Nagas after Christianity.
“So, one should pursue education very seriously. We should take the student period seriously so that we build our future with knowledge as a man without education is like a bird without wings,” he added.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio also unveiled the platinum jubilee monolith of the students’ union.