Naga integration should be kept alive: Nagaland CM

UKHRUL, FEBRUARY 14 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today stated that the press for Naga integration “should never give up and should be kept alive as matter of faith and principle.”   He said this while addressing the inaugural function of the Naga Lui-Ngai-Ni festival as Chief Guest at Ukhrul today. A press note from the Media Officer to the CM, Kariabo Chawang quoted the CM as having said that it is the expressed desire of the Nagas to have integration of all Nagas inhabited areas and live under one administrative dispensation, and in support of which the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had passed resolutions to this effect on four different occasions. He also said that although territorial integration of all contiguous Nagas areas is not in the hand of Nagas, the integration issue should not be given up on.   The Chief Minister also said that while the Nagas are asserting for territorial integration, a way should be worked out for emotional and cultural integration of the Nagas living under various administrations. Once there is an emotional and cultural integration Nagas can do lots of things together, and help each other for cultural and socio-economic advancement even without territorial or political integration, he stated.  

On political the political issue, the CM hoped that a new era will soon dawn in the history of the Naga political struggle with the signing of the Frame Work Agreement between the GOI and NSCN (IM). He said that after signing the Frame Work Agreement, the GOI and NSCN (IM) have taken up several activities with a view to arrive at a comprehensive and broad based agreement, involving all Naga nationalist groups and civil societies. “I think it is the duty of all Nagas to give out active cooperation and help to this process, so that a dawn of permanent peace may come to the Nagas homelands”, he urged.   He further suggested that the apex Naga tribal bodies of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh meet and plan out a common Naga festival with appropriate name to showcase oneness of the Nagas to the world.   The CM further criticised the passing of three bills by the Ibobi Singh government much against the wishes of the tribal people and termed it as just a means to consolidate the support of the valley people in the coming election. “As a political strategy, Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh may be right in his own thinking but the three bills are detrimental to the tribal rights,” he said and queried as to how some Naga legislators of Manipur could continue to support “such anti-tribal government.” The 4 NPF legislators who have tender their resignation in protest against the three bills had taken the right decision, he added.   Zeliang then stated that the Nagas have entered a very crucial period in their struggle and therefore need to unite. “It is unfortunate that some of our Naga leaders still prefer the chair at the cost of Naga unity. But I am afraid history may not forgive them”, he said.