Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir said Naga problems could not be solved through “killings or fightings”, adding such criminal act only “reveals the anger, hatred and weakness that is in the minds of those who kill”.
Speaking here on Friday on the occasion of the tree plantation ceremony in memory of late Dr LV Reddy, former Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, who fell in assassins’ bullets on March 28, 1995, the Chief Minister registered his strong displeasure on the continued killings among the Naga people despite having ceasefire agreements with the Government of India.
“In the name of sovereignty, they are killing their own people and I really fail to understand the logic behind all these crimes”, said the Chief Minister, adding “If they are fighting for the cause, why they are killing their own people”.
Stating that by killing their own people, they were nothing but destroying their own society, Jamir called upon the Naga people to stop all these kind of violent activities. He said unless Naga people were united and views and opinions of all section of Naga people were involved to the peace process, no honorable and final settlement to the Naga problems could be arrived at.
The Chief Minister also said Dr Reddy’s tragic death was a terrible shock for all of them because he was a “sincere, intelligent and forthright officer who was liked and admired by the people he served”.
“It is most unfortunate that instead of allowing him to work for the people of Nagaland for many more years, certain elements who have no regard for human life thought it fit to cold bloodedly murder him at such a young age”, Jamir said.
“It is cowardly to kill, because it means they have not been able to convince others through force of argument or through reason”, the Chief Minister stated.
He further cautioned that their complex problems would only increase if killing and fighting were seen as the solutions to the issues that faced them. Jamir also said they could not bring Dr Reddy back to life but through “this tree plantation ceremony we can at least give new life to our earth and help in keeping his memory alive”, adding “Nagaland was fortunate to have an officer of his caliber and although he was with us for only a short time, he left a deep mark through his selfless services to the Naga people”.
Additional Chief Secretary, Nagaland, P Talitenjen Ao also spoke on the occasion. He remembered the noble services rendered to the people of Nagaland by late Dr Reddy, who, he said, stood firmly by his ground. Ao recalled how officers had been working during those turbulent years in the State and said Nagaland lost quite a number of dear colleagues in the past and further called upon other fellow officers in the State to emulate sincerity, loyalty and sacrifices of those officers who sacrificed in line of their duties.
Home Minister Neihpiu Rio, Road and Bridges Minister KV Pusa, State Chief secretary RS Pandey, DGP Hesso Mao were among others who were present during the occasion.
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