TIPRA Motha is trying to divide Tripura: Union Minister

Kohima: Union Minister Arjun Manda on Monday said the Center was really bending over backward to foster the northeastern locale and ancestral regions the nation over so individuals of those areas don’t feel that they are “left behind”.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of a multi-purpose building in Kohima village, Manda said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make the North East equal to other parts of the country.

Chief Minister Nephew Rio was present at the event.

Manda said there are more than 700 tribal communities in different parts of the country, while 17 are in Nagaland and many others in the northeast with ethnic identities.

He said that PM Modi always encouraged the Union Ministers to work for the welfare of the tribal people.
He said that the construction of ‘Kohima Village Multi Purpose Building’ would also be the hallmark of the tribal community.

“The Nagas have their own identity. They protect their tradition and culture at any cost,” Manda said as he wore a traditional Naga costume donated by the Kohima Village Council.

The Union Minister also announced the setting up of an archery center in Nagaland as part of a special grant from his ministry.

Manda said his ministry of tribal affairs was working with 41 other central ministries and assured Nagaland officials of co-operation for further development projects.

Speaking at the event, Rio urged Manda to release funds on time for the multi-purpose building project so that it could be completed on schedule.

State Minister for Higher Education and Tribal Affairs Temjen Imna Ling said the first phase of the fund has been released and urged village leaders to issue land certificates and other documents.

The center has approved Rs 5 crore for the project, said Kohima Village Council Chairman Helievi O Solo, adding that the local body would ensure that the project was completed on time.

The Union Minister arrived in Nagaland on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday will visit Kiphire district and hold meetings with state government officials on schemes and projects of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

He is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Wednesday.