Kohima, Nov 12 (PTI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday expressed hope that the appointment of a new interlocutor and talks at the Group of Ministers’ level would help resolve the protracted Naga political issue, while calling for greater unity among the tribes.
Addressing the first general conference of the Tenyimi Women Union Nagaland (TWUN), hosted by the Angami Women Organisation (AWO) here, Rio said the Nagas were passing through a difficult period and collective efforts were needed to strengthen unity.
The Tenyimi Union, comprising five tribes — Angami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma and Zeliang — should take the lead in bringing different Naga tribes together, he said.
“We are trying to bring unity because once Tenyimi is united, we can inspire other tribes to bring Naga unity. Otherwise, at this juncture, Nagas as a people are in a very difficult situation,” he said.
“We hope the appointment of a new interlocutor and talks at the Group of Ministers’ level will bring some solution,” the CM said.
The Centre has appointed Ajit Lal as interlocutor for the peace talks.
Rio also called for greater participation of women in leadership, governance and economic activities, acknowledging their growing contribution to education, administration and society.
He said women were increasingly performing better than men in educational fields and pointed to the rising representation of women in government, which he said had increased from around 8.3 per cent two decades ago to around 31 per cent.
Describing women as the foundation of families and custodians of cultural heritage, the chief minister said their role extended beyond household responsibilities to preserving traditional knowledge, textiles, handicrafts and indigenous practices.
He urged Tenyimi women to pass on their languages, traditions and cultural values to younger generations, saying mothers had a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of indigenous identity.
Guest of honour Kuzholuzo Nienu, advisor for science and technology, said Tenyimi community’s heritage was reflected not only in traditional attire, folk songs, festivals and customary practices but also in the values, mutual respect and collective responsibility upheld by their ancestors.
While acknowledging the opportunities brought by modernisation, Nienu cautioned that progress should not make younger generations strangers to their ancestral land and cultural identity.
He said unity did not demand uniformity or the surrender of individual tribal identities, but required respect for differences and the willingness to place collective interests above personal considerations.
Emphasising women’s participation, Nienu said a community could not claim to be truly united unless women’s experiences, concerns and aspirations were given due recognition.
He called for greater opportunities for women to contribute ideas, influence decisions and assume leadership roles. PTI NBS NBS MNB
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