DAN firm in commitment towards resolution of Naga issue: CM

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today said that the Naga People's Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government remains firm in its commitment towards resolution of the Naga political issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the Central Government's commitment to resolve the Naga political issue in a time bound manner and the interlocutor of the Naga peace talks has been trying his best, he informed the House.

"We need to reconstitute and re-activate the Joint Legislature Forum on the Naga political issue, so that we may be able to contribute more positively in our collective endeavour to facilitate the peace process," he said.

The Chief Minister also regretted the violence in Tuensang and Dimapur districts.

Clashes between two tribal communities in Tuensang led to the killing of three persons between November 2014 and February this year while a mob had broken into Dimapur Central Jail and lynched a rape accused on March 5.

"The Government is taking all steps to book the culprits in the Dimapur incident and to prevent recurrence of such incidents," he said, adding, altogether 55 persons were arrested in this connection.

Zeliang, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented vote-on-account for the first four months of 2015-16 amounting to Rs 3868.16 crore.

Presentation of a full budget has not been preferred due to non-finalisation of the state's plan with the Centre, he said.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the award of the 14th Finance Commission, that will commence from April, will bring about significant development in the state.

The three-day session of the Assembly commenced here today.