Rio presses for better road connectivity between Nagaland & Myanmar
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

New Delhi, July 03 2014: Member of Parliament from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio today apprised Union minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi to develop the connectivity roads in the international border areas along the Nagaland-Myanmar international boundary.

In a representation to the External Affairs minister today, Rio highlighted that Rio highlighted that there is a huge Naga population of about 6.5 lakhs in Myanmar and that Nagas were given recognition in Myanmar in the form of the Naga Self Administered Zone, with active support from the Government of India and the Naga civil society groups.

He also said that there are also six Naga MPs in the Myanmar Parliament.

Neiphiu Rio said that Nagaland has a 215 kilometer long international boundary with Myanmar and though the border divides the countries the people in the border regions are in regular contact and there is no problem of law and order and infiltration, however the areas are backward, inaccessible with poor connectivity adversely effecting the development of the regions.

Rio informed the Union minister of his visit to Myanmar on being invited by the Members of Parliament and he had met several dignitaries and leaders including the Speaker of Parliament, Union Minister for Border and Development and the Chief Ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing.

He informed that the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Shri GautamMukhopadhya, had visited Nagaland to take a first had experience of the border areas after his visit.

Another follow up result of Rio's visit, the representation stated was the Handshake Concert which is to be held on the 5th of July in Yangoon.

The concert, he informed was being organized by the Rattle & Hume Music Society in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Myanmar and the Ministry of Culture, Government of Myanmar.

He said that the event will promote people-to-people contact, create friendship and understanding through culture, music and art.

He urged upon the Government of India to capitalize on the age old historical connections between the people of India and Myanmar, especially the Nagas and build better relations while strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, as part of the look east policy.

Rio called upon the External Affairs Minister to build roads and promote trade, commerce and people-to-people contact.

He said that on the Nagaland side of the border, we have already constructed roads from four points namely Chenmoho, Pangsha, Avankhu and Monyakshu.

These roads, he said needs to be further developed on both sides of the border and also the upgradation of the international trade centers needs to be taken up of which Avangkhu is already approved by both the countries.

Neiphiu Rio then submitted a separate representation to the External Affairs minister requesting for urgent establishment of a Regional Passport Office in Nagaland.

Rio in his representation said that Nagaland is yet to have a passport office even after 50 years of Statehood and this has created hardships and problems for the citizens of the state.

He informed that all matters related to application for passports, renewals, etc have to be done in Guwahati under Assam and the people of the State have to travel to Guwahati.

He highlighted that the people are faced with economical and logistical difficulties amongst other problems due to the State not having a passport office.

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