Article 371A should not be misinterpreted and misused for selfish interests: Metsubo Jamir

Kohima, 29 April (MTNews): Nagaland Minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Metsubo Jamir, speaking as the Chief Guest at the Annual General Meeting of the Kohima Aor Telongjem (KAT) on 29 April at Molu Ki, Kohima said that Article 371A was included in the Constitution solely to protect the rights of the people of Nagaland against exploitation by people from outside of the state. Hence, saying that Article 371A was like a ‘protective mechanism’, he said the provisions in the article should not be misinterpreted and misused for selfish interests which in turn hamper the growth and development of the State.

He lamented that several developmental activities in the State have been hampered due to land issues and conflicts of interest with land owners who often put the various developmental agencies in tough spots asking for unreasonable compensations citing their rights under Article 371A.

He also regretted that the people in Mokokchung do not want to part with their land which curtails development. He stated that developments like opening schools or colleges and constructing roads cannot happen when there is no land available and appealed that the people need to change their outlook.

He also remarked that it is not right to lament that there is no unity among the Ao community. While admitting that there may be shortcomings, he contested that Aos are united and also opined that the various Ao unions formed in various locales like the KAT should plan and work for the whole Ao community and not only of their locales. He also proposed that a collective agenda for the whole Aos need to be formulated.

Metsubo further addressed the ever increasing unemployment problem in the State and said that the state must develop economically at a rapid pace to provide more avenues for the people to be employed. On the Prohibition Act, he opined that the “side effects and consequences of Prohibition” needed a relook.

He further encouraged the Aos settled outside of Mokokchung to make positive contributions towards the development of their home district and ensure that it slowly develops into a business hub which will cater to the needs of the nearby districts such as Longleng, Tuensang and Zunheboto as well.

He also congratulated and appreciated the efforts of the KAT leaders, both past and present, for keeping the union strong for more than four decades and encouraged the present leaders and parents to train the younger generation well so that they can carry on the legacy of the union and of their parents for years to come.

Senior Advocate Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench CT Jamir while exhorting the gathering said that the name given to Mokokchung and its people as ‘the land of Pioneers’ is an honour as well as a responsibility which every individual Ao must take seriously and ensure that the community lives up to the honour bestowed upon them. He said that the time has come for the Ao people to retrospect and know their weaknesses and work hard towards making positive changes to the society as a whole. He also added that it was time to provide an equal platform to women in all walks of life because a society can only move ahead when both men and women work together as equals and make equal contributions in accordance to one’s capabilities.

Advisor, Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen also gave a short speech wherein he said that Mokokchung and the Ao people in general were blessed in more ways than one and that the Aos should be grateful for the opportunities given to them.

Earlier, President of the Kohima Aor Telongjem, L Cubalepzuk Ao presented the welcome address while Vice President T Chubayanger Ao pronounced the vote of thanks.

A new team to lead KAT for the session 2023-2025 was also appointed at the general meeting with T Chubayanger (Süngratsü) as the President, Moanungsang Jamir (Molungyimsen) as Vice president, Temjen Pongen (Khangtsung) as General Secretary and L Sashi Imchen (Longkhum) as Assistant General Secretary.