Chizokho Vero
Kohima | February 6
The NPF has formally declared that it’s first and foremost agenda during the coming Assembly Elections will be on the Indo-Naga problem. “We have committed to continue to strive for solution of the Naga political problem,” said NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu during the ticket distribution ceremony and meeting of the Central Executive Council here at the NPF central office. The NPF today distributed party tickets to 55 official candidates for the forthcoming state general elections scheduled for March 5.
Dr. Liezietsu asserted that the NPF will continue to play the role of a mediator to bring together the conflicting parties to the conference table for political dialogue. “We appeal to the different UG groups to understand our stand and make good sense prevail for the future of Nagaland,” he said adding that the NPF will continue to work towards this end till “we achieve our goal.” He also said that it was the declared policy of the NPF that “we stand for integration of all contiguous Naga inhabited areas.” “This is our birth right and we have not said or done anything against any body for expressing our desire that we, members of the same family, want to live together under one administrative umbrella,” he said.
“This time we are going a step further and declared that we will bring this matter to the kind notice of the Indian government to take up this issue with the Government of Myanmar for giving due recognition to the Nagas in Myanmar”, he said adding “we do not want to count out our people in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur states.”
Saying that the NPF has no problem of leadership crisis, Dr. Liezietsu said “we have reiterated and confirmed the leadership of Neiphiu Rio even before election”.
“Our adversaries have many leaders who, we doubt, cannot live together even for a single day. It is for the people of Nagaland to judge and make decision if they want stability and development”, the senior NPF leader said.
Also stating that the NPF had made remarkable progress towards implementation of its pledges to the people of Nagaland in all spheres of activities during the last 4 and 10 months in office, he said “No successive government in Nagaland in the past had achieved so much as the DAN government did,” he said.
Dr. Liezietsu also asserted that the NPF will continue to work to bring about better understanding among the different sections of the Naga people. It also condemned “any move which may confuse and further divide the people of Nagaland.”
The NPF President also said that the party was committed to work and improve the economic condition of the people of Nagaland. Dr. Liezietsu announced that it will continue to work to achieve 100 percent literacy of our people. “God willing, we will give our best to change the face of Nagaland” Dr. Liezietsu added.
Earlier Neiphiu Rio delivered keynote address. Those who spoke on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak, Rajya Sabha MP T.R. Zeliang, Thenucho, Khekiho, Imkong Imchen and Dr. VC Kanito. Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Principal, OTS Dimapur gave the dedication before issuing of party tickets. The function was chaired by Chubatemjen Ao, Secretary General NPF.
