Requests Ravi to ensure ‘settlement’ before elections
Dimapur, November 3 (MExN): The state cabinet led by the Chief Minister TR Zeliang today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and stressed the need for an early solution to Naga political issue.
The state cabinet was accompanied by Nagaland’s lone Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio.
“During the meeting Chief Minister and his colleagues impressed upon the Union Home Minister the need for finalizing the solution to the long standing Naga Political issue,” informed a press release from CMO Media Cell. The Chief Minister noted that it is important the settlement of Naga political issue is initiated before the elections pointing out that it had been 20 years of negotiations, it said.
With the State Assembly Polls scheduled early next year, MP Neiphiu Rio also mentioned that with the commitment and leadership of Prime Minister and Home Minister, the final settlement does not seem to be very far, it added. Rio said that “it will be in the interest of all if the settlement is done before Christmas,” the release said.
Rajanth lauded the initiative of Chief Minister Nagaland and his colleagues and hoped that settlement of Naga political issue will be done soon, it added.
The CMO release further informed that the Chief Minister’s team later had a meeting with the Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, RN Ravi at the Nagaland House, New Delhi.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister again requested Ravi to ensure that settlement of Naga political issue is done before elections, it said.
The efforts of the Interlocutor towards an “inclusive solution that is both honorable and acceptable,” was also lauded by the Chief Minister’s team, it added.
While explaining that “they are very near to final solutions,” Ravi also pointed out that it is “essential that all parties are involved in the final negotiations to ensure a peaceful and long lasting solution,” the release noted.
He also mentioned that most of the substantial issues have been resolved and only symbolic issues need final resolution, it added.
Ravi urged all concerned to impress upon “all parties for the need of an early solution, preferably before elections in the best interests of the State,” the release said.
Besides, MP Rio, Zeliang’s entourage of full state cabinet had 12 Ministers and 4 advisors in tow.
