Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged young people to acquire skills and take up all forms of jobs to drive the state’s economic growth and reduce reliance on outsiders for employment. Speaking at a function in Mengujuma village on February 15, Rio emphasized that skill development among Naga youth is key to economic progress and self-sufficiency.
The Chief Minister inaugurated four major projects in Mengujuma village, including the village gate, village founder monolith, Village Agri Link Bypass Road via Tsiesema, and the Mengujuma Village Council Hall. He stressed that various student bodies have been demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur district to curb the influx of illegal immigrants. While ILP enforcement has been notified, Rio acknowledged the complexities, as Dimapur was only declared a tribal belt in 1979.
He recalled that the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, introduced by the British, restricted the free entry of non-indigenous people into Naga areas, and this regulation remains in force post-Independence. However, he noted that Nagas must equip themselves with skills and be ready to take up all types of work, ensuring that outsiders have no reason to stay for jobs in Nagaland.
Highlighting economic challenges, Rio expressed concern that despite the government’s initiatives to promote industrial development, including the Industrial Infrastructure Development Centre (IIDC) at Kiruphema and the Industrial Growth Centre in Dimapur, local people have not availed opportunities. He warned that as a consumer state with limited production, Nagaland risks falling behind in development if this trend continues.
The Chief Minister reassured that the state government is committed to meritocracy, with job recruitments conducted through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and Nagaland Service Selection Board (NSSB). He encouraged young people to prepare well, gain skills, and compete for employment opportunities.
Rio also emphasized the need for Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), an initiative aimed at protecting the rights of Nagaland’s indigenous people. His remarks underscored the urgency of youth empowerment and economic self-reliance to secure a stronger future for the state.
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