Accord special treatment to NE, widen talks purview : Jamir

KOHIMA, February 26: Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir today urged the Centre to accord 'special treatment' the Northeast due to the region's peculiar problems, and insisted that the scope of Naga political talk process be broadened by including all sections of the Naga society, reports PTI. "The Centre cannot afford to treat us on the same footing as other advanced States in matters of socio-economic development. A different approach is essential and we request the home ministry to convince other ministers and departments at the Centre of the special problems faced by us", Jamir said while addressing the public meeting, organised on the occasion of the Union Home Minister LK Advani's visit to Nagaland here. He said purely economic and financial considerations, total, uniformity in approach and identical 'normative methods' of looking at problems of all the States will only aggravate the problem in the region. The Chief Minister also pointed out the Northeastern region, particularly the hilly tribal states, have not gained from the economic liberation process. In fact, some of the fallouts of this process had been very adverse for the region, Jamir added. Referring to the ongoing peace talks process between the Centre and NSCN(IM), Jamir urged the home minister to include not only the other underground groups under the purview of the peace process but also the overground groups. As peace is an essential pre-requisite for progress and development, the pursuit of peace should be made with very clear perceptions and with a clear sense of direction, Jamir asserted.