Centre committed to fulfil aspirations of Nagas, says Rajnath Singh

Kisama (Nagaland) : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the central government is committed to do its best to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga people for a brighter tomorrow.

The minister did not elaborate further or mention the ongoing peace talks between the Central government and the NSCN-IM leadership for a permanent solution to the insurgency problem."The central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narenda Modi, is committed to do its best to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga people for a brighter tomorrow with all the honour which they richly deserve," Singh said at the Hornbill festival here.

The home minister's comment at this Naga heritage village, about 12 km from the state capital Kohima, comes days after President Ram Nath Kovind said Nagaland was at the threshold of making history as a final agreement on the Naga political issue would soon be reached and lasting peace achieved.On September 19, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya said the vexed Naga issue would be solved within the next one or two months.

Addressing the Naga people at the annual tourism festival, the home minister said the Central government is in the process of finalising a revamped free movement regime on the India-Myanmar border to ensure that people living in border areas face no hardships."While doing so, steps are also being taken to promote border trade by establishing land custom stations. This would also ensure that illicit trafficking and other illegal activities are curbed at the border," he said.

Under the free movement regime, people living along the border of India and Myanmar are allowed to visit each other's places without any travel document.Singh said Nagaland has the opportunity to lead Northeastern states to the path of peace, stability, prosperity and growth. He expressed the hope for a peaceful, vibrant, colourful and energetic Nagaland that is an example for other states to emulate.

"Nagaland, with its rich natural resources and talented people, has limitless possibilities. Ensuring peace can help realise the immense potential for economic gains, jobs and prosperity," he said.Stressing that tourism can be a major driver for growth, Singh also focused on the need for infrastructure development as the key for Nagaland to catch up with other states in terms of economic development.