DIMAPUR:
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) met Congress President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi and apprised her about the changes taking place in Nagaland, informed NPCC president K Therie on April 8.
The NPCC held the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government in the state responsible for the delay in implementation of the two official agreements between the government of India and the negotiating teams of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim – Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Naga National Political Groups.
“The problem is no more with the insurgents. It is with the state government which wants to fish in troubled waters,” the state Congress told Gandhi.
According to the NPCC, among some prominent changes that have occurred in the state is the election of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee to Rajya Sabha unopposed in a Christian-dominated state and rising corruption in the electoral process.
It pointed out that the corrupt electoral practice of accepting money and material from leaders in exchange for votes is another system that has taken deep roots in the democratic election.
“Tolerating extortion, illegal activities and allowing youth to join extortionists with no objection from customary and administrative guardians have become the norm,” the Pradesh Congress told Gandhi.
Alleging that all development funds have cuts for ministers, officers and multiple militant factions, it said such actions are accepted and that they pass it of by calling it “commission”, “contribution” and “donation”.
The NPCC lamented that corrupt ministers and officers are buying hundreds and thousands of acres of land and building multi-storied buildings all over the state.
Stating that tourism and medical department funds are used to develop personal properties, it said the “entire budget for 20 years has vanished into thin air”.
“It does not percolate down to the districts anymore. The Nagas have already lost work culture while our customs, honesty and hospitality that people talk of highly while referring to the Nagas, is in danger of being submerged,” it said.
Accusing the UDA government of destroying the social inherent structure, the NPCC said they have compromised the state’s Christian faith to protect themselves from the NIA, CBI, ED and law.
Asking the NPCC to fight back to restore traditional values and faith of the Nagas, Gandhi said Jawaharlal Nehru and the Gandhi family have given protection to the state under the Constitution which must be preserved and protected.
Gandhi also assured to reorganise the North East Congress Coordination Committee and North East Youth Congress Coordination Committee and stand with the NPCC in its fight.
NPCC assured to reach out to all concerned citizens and share the dangers of perishing traditional values and faith of the Nagas.
The NPCC delegation was accompanied by AICC in charge of Nagaland Dr Ajoy Kumar.