DIMAPUR, Aug 2 � Pointing out that unlike other parts of the country the Constitution of India gives the Nagas the right to preserve identity, culture, land and its resources, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the only thing that Nagas need to do is achieve permanent peace.
Speaking on the occasion of Tsungremong festival at Khensa village in Mokokchung district, Rio said celebrating festivals does not mean that we are doing away with religion but preserving our culture for it is not clashing with religion rather it is complimenting one another.
Tsungremong, celebrated by the Ao Nagas from August 1 to 3, is a pre-harvest festival where people sing and dance invoking God�s blessings for a bumper harvest.
Rio also touched on the dying culture of the forefathers and urged the people to adopt work culture in all spheres, be it in school, office or any other profession. He underlined that without work we will not get blessings from Almighty.
Talking about the State�s economy, the Chief Minister said the strength of a land depends on its economy and, therefore, he said unless we achieve food sufficiency Nagas will never achive the targetted economy or the strength of the State. He said this while challenging the people to bring back the work culture of the forefathers.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Cabinet has decided to seek clarification from the Government of India over the matter of which faction � NSCN (Khaplang) or NSCN (Khole) � is in ceasefire agreement with it.
It will also seek to know whether both the factions, after the split, have reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement earlier entered with the Centre.
It will further seek from the Centre the manner in which the two factions of NNC � NNC (Accordist) and NNC (Non-Accordist) � are to be dealt with.
With both the factions having considerable number of armed cadres operating in Nagaland and since neither has entered into ceasefire agreement with the Government of India, the Nagaland Cabinet decided to ask how the security forces and State police are to deal with the armed cadres of these two factions.
The State Cabinet in its meeting on July 23 discussed the current developments in the State, specially in the law and order front.
The Cabinet meeting also endorsed the decisions of the Home department to close down all check gates in the State, except inter-State check gates and Chumukedima ILP check gate in order to curb the practice of illegal collection of money at these check points.
