Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said the Nagas are going through a difficult time.

He admitted that it is not an easy job for the government and NGOs to serve the people at this difficult time, particularly because of the unresolved Naga issue.

Rio said the Nagaland government and a service like Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) get sandwiched between the Centre and the Naga groups with both not able to fully trust the state government.

He was addressing the 45th general conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) at Jotsoma near Kohima.

“NCS officers need to identify the local economy potential in their area of administration and make sure that the developmental funds are utilised properly,” he said.

Acknowledging the difficulties the NCS officers go through, he 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 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.

Rio lauded the wisdom and foresight of the past political leaders in applying for inner line permit (ILP) in the state. The ILP also benefited some northeastern states when the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed.

He said it is the responsibility of the administration, the village councils, colonies and wards to identify the genuine Indian citizens so that 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. He impressed upon the officers to be sincere, dedicated and efficient in their assigned task.