New Cabinet of NSCN(I-M) sworn in at Tangkhul Church

DIMAPUR, July 4 ? The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN ?IM) held the swearing-in ceremony of the new council of Kilonsers (Ministers)of its Government of the People?s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) with the induction of six Kilonsers (Cabinet Ministers), 25 Deputy Kilonsers (State Ministers), and about 20 tatars (MPs) at Tangkhul Church, Wungram colony in the Purana bazaar area here on Monday evening. The new 'government' was installed about a year after the earlier government was dissolved following the declaration of emergency after which the seven member Steering Committee headed by its convenor Gen (retd) VS Atem of the outfit was entrusted to look after its affairs by the collective leadership, who are based at the Thai capital, Bangkok. The six Kilonsers inducted were? A K Lungalang (Home); Q Tuccu (Defence); K Huray (Finance); Johnny Lamkang (Information and Publicity); Vaison Pou(Religious Affairs) and Hevukhu (without portfolio). Besides twenty-five Deputy Kilonsers, 20 tatars (MPs), including a woman, were also sworn in taking the total strength to fifty one. The strength of the seven-member Steering Committee, believed to be the 'think tank' of the outfit was earlier increased to a total of 17 with the inclusion of additional ten members. Senior leaders who spoke on the occasion stressed on the need to maintain the moral standard and integrity of the organization and to do away with corruption. They also urged the newly inducted members to work as a team ? with sincerity, dedication and the sense of responsibility. The NSCN leaders also advised the newly inducted members not to indulge in extortions and other such activities, which may damage the name of the organization but work faithfully to win the respect and love of the people. Convenor of the Steering Committee, Gen (retired) V S Atem exhorted the members to draw strength and courage from God and urged them to always uphold Christian values. Newly-appointed Kilo (Home) Kilonser, A K Lungalang, speaking on behalf of the Council of Kilonsers, thanked the NSCN collective leadership for reposing faith in them and assured that they would give their best to promote the Naga cause under the supervision and with the cooperation of the Steering Committee. ?The NSCN is fully committed to unity and reconciliation of all factions and the Government shall willingly go extra miles to achieve this? he stated, adding, ?yet unity and reconciliation shall be within the parameter of national principles?. Lungalang also outlined the list of priorities to be taken up by the new council of Kilonsers among which include: Reformation in administration, financial administration (streamlining of tax collection, proper use of economy in expenditure, proper distribution of funds besides to take measures to check over-taxation from the tax-payers) besides to strengthen the peace process. He also stressed on the need to lay special focus in the education policy and said the culture of collective decision would be upheld. He also assured that the Naga Army would be put to task for full military preparedness to face any eventuality. On the peace process, he said the Government would explore every possible avenue to reach out to people at the grassroot level and spread awareness to strengthen the ongoing peace process through mass participation. Others who spoke on the occasion were Q Tuccu, the newly appointed Defence Minister of the outfit, AZ Zami, Secretary Steering Committee, Phungthing Shimrang, convenor of the ceasefire monitoring cell of the NSCN-IM. Significantly, the venue of the event was not guarded by uniformed cadres equipped with arms and ammunition, as per the tradition of the organisation. Every one, the Council members, NSWON members, Naga Army officials and others were in civvies. The function was moderated by Q Chishi Swu, member steering committee.