Dimapur | November 26: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that if Nagas have unity and reconciliation and put their strength together, then Nagas can achieve great things. “If we are united, we will be able to find solutions in our family, village, tribe and even solution to the Naga political issue,” the Chief Minister said while speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS) at Bade village, some 12km from Dimapur.
Rio said that since Nagas have their “rights and identity”, Nagas desired to be “independent.” But when Nagas voiced their aspirations to be a free people, they were divided and placed under different administrative units, he said.
Stating one point in the ongoing Naga peace talks was on “integration” of Naga inhabited areas, Rio felt that “integration” was a legitimate demand. He said that if Nagas are to live under the Indian Union, then Nagas have the right to say that “as you (India) have divided us, you unite us.”
The Chief Minister also said that though Nagas may be physically divided at the moment, Naga people must try to integrate emotionally, socially and economically. “If Nagas are emotionally integrated, then we have a future,” he added.
On the ongoing reconciliation process initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to reconcile different warring “Naga national groups”, Rio expressed satisfaction that with support of the people, churches and civil societies, the Naga groups were listening to the call of the people and even signed the “Covenant” and “Concord” of reconciliation.
Rio said that every individual should contribute their due share to bring about peace.
The Chief Minister further reiterated DAN Government’s declaration that in the event of a solution to the Naga political issue being found, the government will pave the way for an “alternative arrangement.”
Rio said that since Nagas have their “rights and identity”, Nagas desired to be “independent.” But when Nagas voiced their aspirations to be a free people, they were divided and placed under different administrative units, he said.
Stating one point in the ongoing Naga peace talks was on “integration” of Naga inhabited areas, Rio felt that “integration” was a legitimate demand. He said that if Nagas are to live under the Indian Union, then Nagas have the right to say that “as you (India) have divided us, you unite us.”
The Chief Minister also said that though Nagas may be physically divided at the moment, Naga people must try to integrate emotionally, socially and economically. “If Nagas are emotionally integrated, then we have a future,” he added.
On the ongoing reconciliation process initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to reconcile different warring “Naga national groups”, Rio expressed satisfaction that with support of the people, churches and civil societies, the Naga groups were listening to the call of the people and even signed the “Covenant” and “Concord” of reconciliation.
Rio said that every individual should contribute their due share to bring about peace.
The Chief Minister further reiterated DAN Government’s declaration that in the event of a solution to the Naga political issue being found, the government will pave the way for an “alternative arrangement.”
