The Southern Tangkhul Naga Union (STNU) has raised serious concerns about operational lapses in crucial government departments, specifically those overseen by two Kuki Ministers, with a focus on Tribal Affairs and Hills. In a recent development, the union is calling upon Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take prompt action, emphasizing the necessity of addressing these issues for the well-being of the state and its residents.
Letpao Haokip, holding portfolios for Tribal Affairs & Hills Department and Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department, and Nemcha Kipgen, serving as the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles, and Co-operation, are at the center of the concerns.
Speaking at Tangkhul Avenue in Ching-meirong, STNU Chairman Shomi Angkang expressed distress over the apparent suspension of operations in government departments, particularly the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department under the purview of the two Kuki Ministers. Angkang urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to ensure that these ministers fulfill their duties, highlighting the significant impact on the public.
Angkang suggested the possibility of appointing a new Minister for Tribal Affairs & Hills if the incumbent proves unable to perform effectively. He stressed the critical need for the department’s functionality, particularly concerning the concurrent holding of Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections with Parliamentary elections.
Commending the recent meeting of Naga and Kuki MLAs in Guwahati to discuss restoring normalcy in Manipur, Shomi proposed a broader meeting involving all legislators to comprehensively address ongoing issues.
Underlining the importance of dialogue among stakeholders, Shomi expressed support for the government’s initiative to erect fences along the Indo-Myanmar border, provided it is restricted to non-contested areas. He called for the immediate initiation of border fencing work in undisputed regions.
Citing a dispute from Border Pillar 90 to Border Pillar 129, Shomi revealed conflicting findings from a joint survey conducted after a 2021 meeting. Despite an agreement to determine the disputed boundary in the presence of elders from both sides, implementation has been hindered due to unrest in Myanmar.
Shomi drew attention to the acknowledgment of the dispute by the Kamjong Deputy Commissioner and urged the government to steer clear of the disputed region during the implementation of border fencing.
STNU Secretary Shimreiphang Ningsen added that the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department serves not only Scheduled Tribe (ST) individuals but also Scheduled Caste (SC) and backward communities. Expressing concern over the department’s cessation of various services during ongoing violence, Shimreiphang appealed to Chief Minister N Biren Singh to understand the challenges faced by the people and take necessary actions. This includes the possible induction of a new Minister for Tribal Affairs & Hills, if deemed necessary for the greater good.
