By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Chümoukedima Town Youth Organization (CTYO) has condemned what it called the “disgraceful speech” delivered by Nagaland deputy chief minister, and in-charge of Home, Y Patton, at the two-day get together cum cultural programme organized by the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) on May 13 and 14 at Tiyi Hall, Wokha. Almost all members of the Central Nagaland Legislators Forum (CNLF) reportedly attended and shared their own views of common interest to CNTC and the Nagas in general at the meeting.
A delight to be a part of the CNTC Get Together cum Cultural Programme today in Wokha and share thoughts, discuss ideas. Appreciation to Lotha Hoho for beautifully hosting the significant event and truly thankful to everyone for their participation!@MyGovNagaland @BJP4Nagaland pic.twitter.com/ofWoToCEyr
— Yanthungo Patton (@YanthungoPatton) May 14, 2022
Stating that the speech was “laced with malicious intent” to provoke and “creating divisions” amongst the Naga family, CTYO media cell in a press statement said that the open insinuation of “nepotism and hatred, pitting one section against another” while holding the chair of a state’s deputy chief minister was “unbecoming” of Patton’s stature. This must be condemned by all right thinking citizens, said CTYO.
Demanding to know whether the deputy chief minister is in the chair only for “CNTC areas” or not, the CTYO also asked him why he is “indulging in favouritism” while condemning and targeting other sections and areas, specifically Chümoukedima district.
“Patton has been in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) for almost 20 years starting from 1998 when he was elected uncontested; and he has been fortunate to have been in the ruling government all this while. Therefore, he is the right person to tell us why developmental activities have not been widespread as ought to be and only concentrated to certain pockets as he himself alleged. He has held various crucial portfolios since 2008, and if development has been injudicious, he himself is to be blamed”, CTYO media cell cited.
Mentioning that it was good that there should be peace, goodwill and harmony amongst the CNTC brethren, however, CTYO questioned “why is Patton so against and jealous of Chümoukedima where there are thousands of people from all the different Naga communities living together in perfect harmony? Can he, by any remote possibility, show some or any developmental activities he had initiated, taken up or even contemplated in Chümoukedima area? Or is he simply rash and thoughtless enough to segregate and isolate the different communities which have made Chümoukedima their permanent homes?”
As such, the CTYO media cell said that the content of his speech was contradictory because on the one hand, he speaks of the need for Nagas of Nagaland to come together to protect their rights, but in the same breath, ranted about the need to strengthen the bond of the three tribes as if there is any need to take on the ENPO and Tenyimia communities, even going to the extent of demanding 35 percent job reservations, while not only making a “mockery” of himself but also of the important office that he holds.
Another factor the CTYO cited was that Patton had “wildly claimed” that all developmental activities are concentrated in Chümoukedima while the rest are deprived as a result and on this claim, it says it would like to apprise him that Chümoukedima Town is a cosmopolitan Town and is inhabited by all Nagas including non-Naga communities, who have been peacefully coexisting for decades.
Contrary to the claims of the deputy chief minister, CTYO said the greater portion of Chümoukedima district lies in “utter neglect and shambles” with the exception of the newly constructed National highway stretch, and on this, it wanted Patton to clarify where exactly the purported developmental activities are taking place.
CTYO further supplemented that it would instead impress upon the deputy chief minister to look into the grievances of the residents of Chümoukedima district for lack of basic amenities in all its administrative areas including paved roads, government schools and colleges, health centres and hospitals, and basic water supply.