Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said the Nagas are going through a difficult time and at a crossroad.
Neiphiu Rio admitted that it is not an easy job for the government and the NGOs working in various capacities to serve the people at this difficult time, particularly because of the unresolved Naga issue.
Chief minister Rio said the Nagaland government and a service like Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) get sandwiched between the government of India and the Naga national groups as both are not able to fully trust the state government.
Rio said this while addressing the 45th general conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) at Jotsoma.
He stressed the need for the civil service to identify the local economy potential in their area of administration by coordinating with the developmental departments and make sure that the developmental funds are utilised properly.
Acknowledging the difficulties the NCS officers go through, the Nagaland chief minister hoped that through their hardships they would be able to identify with the struggles of the people they are serving.
Stating that the NCS officers are the most qualified officers to serve the people, Rio said they should not only depend on the higher command for direction but need to be dynamic in emergency situations, especially in far-flung areas.
Rio lauded the wisdom and foresight of the political leaders in the past in applying for inner line permit (ILP) under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation,1873, in the state.
The ILP also benefitted some northeastern states when the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, was passed.
He said it is the responsibility of the administration, village councils, colonies and wards to identify the genuine Indian citizens so that the society remains intact.
Rio also called for protecting the people through proper identification.
NCSA president Honje Konyak highlighted the various hardships and problems faced by the NCS officers in serving the people.
Neiphiu Rio impressed upon the officers to be sincere, dedicated and efficient in their assigned task.