Two days ahead of the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Nagaland, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) urged the former to "travel by road instead of riding the helicopter" during her visit to the state.
In a representation to the President of India, the newest political party based in Nagaland said that the one and only time a visiting dignitary, whether a Prime Minister or President of India, who travelled by road from Dimapur airport to the state capital Kohima was Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004.
"Experiencing the road condition, the late Prime Minister was reported to have quipped 'If this is the best road in Nagaland, it is difficult to imagine how bad the worst is'".
The RPP representation then said, "It is doubly sure that the state government has in place a comfortable itinerary for your visit including a helicopter ride to reach Kohima in 15 minutes instead of a road trip which may take three hours for a mere 74 km journey".
The RPP also said that the often tried and tested cliché “security reasons” may have guided the state government’s decision but as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of India, "you are well aware that Nagaland has been an oasis of peace for the last 25 years, with your Home Minister lifting AFSPA from 15 police stations areas in seven districts of Nagaland (out of 16 districts)".
The RPP then concluded by saying, "The party hopes that our humble suggestion is taken in the right spirit. Once again we extend our warmest welcome to your proposed visit".
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