All Nagas must be given equal opportunities: Rio

 

 

 

“Meiteis are our neighbors; they are not our enemies and we should remain that way,” said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today. He stated this while speaking as the Chief Guest at the Manipur Naga’s seed sowing festival, Lui-Ngai-Ni, in Tamenglong district headquarter on Saturday.

Rio termed it very unfortunate that “Nagas are divided into different administrative zones.” However, he added that all Nagas, “regardless of their place of residence, must be given equal rights and opportunities as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.” He donated Rs 2 lakhs to the celebrating committee of the festival.

It may be noted that Rio’s visit to Manipur was marred with confusion as the Manipur state government had said on Friday said that it was not informed about the Nagaland Chief Minister’s visit to the state. On the other hand, the Nagaland CM’s media advisor had told NNN that they had informed the Manipur Government about the visit.

Also speaking at the occasion, President of the United Naga Council (UNC) L Adani urged the non-Naga communities to work towards promoting mutual respect for each other’s history and situation, “so that every people can live with dignity and honor.”

“We have always maintained that we are not communal and that we respect the cultures, identities and aspirations of other communities just as we wish that ours is respected,” asserted the UNC President. He stated that the Nagas have “no agenda other than to pursue our quest for political empowerment, that is due to one and all in a democracy.”

He assured that while “pursuing what is our due, we do not intend to deprive anybody that is due to them or their space. By respecting the history, aspirations, identities, ways of life, the land and resources of each other, we can live in peace and in good neighborliness with each other.”

He maintained that the UNC would remained vigilantly engaged as far as its demand for an “Alternative Arrangement” and the tripartite talks, involving the Government of India and Government of Manipur and the UNC are concerned.

TS Warngam, Vice President of the United Naga Council (UNC) and Convener of the festival’s central organizing committee welcomed all the dignitaries, especially leaders from other communities viz. Zomi, Hmar and Kuki.

Nagaland Education Minister, CM Chang and Nagaland Planning Minister, TR Zeliang also attended the function as Guest of Honor and Chief Host respectively. K Guite, Advisor for the Zomi Reunification Organisation; Dr. John Pulamte, President of the Hmar Inpui and Jangsat Haokip, President of the Kuki Inpi Manipur Tamenglong- Jiri Zone attended as the special invitees.

Nagas from all parts of Manipur attended the festival, which was declared as a state holiday by the state government. Participating tribes in the festival included the Anal, Chothe, Inpui, Kharam, Lamkang, Mao, Maram, Maring, Monsang, Moyon, Poumei, Tangkhul, Tarao, Thangal and Zeliangrong.