Dimapur, July 1 (MExN): Against the backdrop of Opposition NPF’s discontentment over Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s recent statement on integration of Naga areas, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) today maintained that the CM only stated what was conveyed to him and the State Government.
“In the recent case of his interview to sections of the electronic media in New Delhi on June 13, 2018 after meeting with the Union Home Minister and officials of the GoI, the Chief Minister only stated what was conveyed to him and the State Government,” said a press statement from NDPP Media and Communications Committee.
“…He had clearly stated that the demand and desire of the Nagas for integration of all Naga contiguous areas is genuine. He also stated that the GoI had relayed that physical integration is not possible which was the point of discussion. This was relayed to the Chief Minister and his delegation by the GoI and therefore, they are not his personal views and neither the party’s views or the PDA Government’s views,” it asserted.
The NDPP claimed that the statement was “misinterpreted and sensationalized” by sections of the media. It also stated “the aspirations of the Nagas to live together as one family has always been a desire and it transcend all boundaries and no force on earth can deny the Nagas their desire to live together as one family. Nagas are only demanding what is rightfully ours.”
Asserting that “the cry for integration of the Naga people is a legitimate demand and it should not be dependent on others merely because of artificial boundaries that were forced upon us,” it added, “The views of others should not be the main factor on the issue of integration.”
However, NDPP said, “we need to live together peacefully under an environment of mutual co-existence with everybody. We respect our neighbors and likewise we expect others to respect our democratic rights and no one should infringe on each other’s rights.”
In defence of the CM, the party recounted that Rio in 2002 resigned from the Congress even though he was the Home Minister because he opposed the publication and contents of the Bedrock of Naga Society as “it was against the interest of the Nagas.”
Then under his leadership, Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on December 18, 2003 for integration of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative umbrella, it said. It was also under Rio’s leadership that the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was constituted and subsequently the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) was formed, the statement said.
“Despite the challenges being faced in the pursuit of integration, emphasis was given to the emotional and political integration of the larger Naga family wherein under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, expansion of NPF to the neighbouring States was pursued,” it noted.
In all his three previous tenures as Chief Minister, Rio, the statement said, has been the strongest advocate for resolution of the Indo-Naga peace process for a true solution that is honorable and acceptable to the Nagas. “His political journey for pursuit of solution and voicing of Naga aspirations has not just been in words but has been exemplified and cemented in actions by concrete steps over the last 2 (two) decades,” according to NDPP.
It also stated the PDA Government under Rio has stated it will pursue resolution of the Indo-Naga issue through a negotiated political settlement and a solution that is honorable and acceptable at the earliest possible.
“In light of the above, there is no validity or merit in the Opposition’s attempts to question the Chief Minister’s stand or integrity on the issue of Naga integration,” the NDPP statement asserted.
