Chief Minister Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the Chumoukedima district on 29th June 2022 making it the 26th district in the state.
In his address, Rio stated that Chumoukedima was historically significant as it was known as 'Samokidima' way back in 1866, and later on, when Dimapur district was created in 1997 Chumoukedima was made its headquarters.
Recalling the public opposition to shifting the DC Dimapur office to Chumoukedima, Rio said, any differences should be peacefully settled through negotiations and for which the government tasked all the five legislators from Dimapur headed by Deputy CM to have a consultation with the leaders and to advise the government on the matter. Accordingly, all the legislators suggested creating two new separate districts and so the government after thorough discussion and deliberation decided to create Niuland and Chumoukedima as separate districts for the sake of administrative convenience and named Niuland the "Land of diversity" and Chumoukedima as the "land of opportunities". CM urged the three districts to work in close coordination and stated that Dimapur CP will oversee the three districts regarding the law and order.
The CM reminded the gathering that Chumoukedima was fortunate to have well-established central institutions and three universities ie. Global ICFAI and St Joseph universities and several good colleges in the district said that Chumoukedima can become the intellectual hub in the state.
Nagaland being a tribal State from the beginning many districts in the state have been created on tribal aspirations and so the district of Shamator and Tseminyu were created and named Shamator as the "land of brotherhood" and Tseminyu as the "historical district."
While urging the denizens to choose the path of unity and peaceful coexistence, Rio thanked the western Sumi Hoho and Chakhroma Public Organization for ironing out the past differences and ushering peace and unity between the two tribes and appealed to other tribes to emulate the same.
In regards to urban and rural local bodies, Rio made it clear that the 73rd amendment doesn't apply to our state and so the VDBs and village council members are selected according to our traditional practices, and reiterated that the 94th amendment is applicable in our state and for which our traditional practices of selection cannot and will not be imposed in municipal and town council elections.
Appealing to the youths and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the recently amended SARFAESI Act where one can mortgage their properties and avail loans, especially people living in the urban areas and economic development zones. The state government has already collected 50 crores under the CSR program and the Bank has assured 100 crores to be handed over to the entrepreneurs and the state government will bear the interest rate so that the entrepreneurs can avail of the loan without interest, he said.
Meanwhile, short speeches were delivered by Jacob Zhimomi, Minister of PHED. MLA Azheto Zhimomi, Rovilatuo Mor IAS Commissioner Nagaland, President Chakhroma Public Organisation, President Western Sumi Hoho, VCC, Chumoukedima village.
Zhaleo Rio, Advisor Sericulture Excise and Minority Affairs delivered the host address and welcome address by Deputy Commissioner Chumoukedima. Aolemba Longkumer Asst General Secretary, NTUCT delivered the Vote of Thanks while Thungchio Lotha, Pastor Lotha Baptist Church Chumoukedima, and A Zakaria, Pastor Chang Baptist Church Chumoukedima pronounced invocation and benediction respectively.
(Vihepu IA Niuland)
