‘Nagaland blessed to have Rio’

Kohima, September 7 (MExN): The Neiphiu Rio-led group of Naga People’s Front (NPF) has stated that Nagaland is blessed to have Rio as the state’s Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha.

  “It is a blessing for Nagaland to have Rio, a veteran politician as the State’s MP of the Lok Sabha,” a statement from the NPF Press & Information Cell stated while countering the “un-parliamentary tirades and accusations” from the Media & Press Bureau against Rio.  

Stating that Rio’s contributions to Nagaland was “invaluable” in leading the NPF and its DAN alliance for three consecutive general elections and garnering people’s mandate to great heights, the Press & Information Cell argued, “The way the party tortured Neiphiu Rio is excruciatingly unfair.”  

It insisted that the inordinately long periods of suspensions imposed on Rio “is a deliberate action to inhibit his popularity and active participation and contribution at this very crucial juncture of the Naga history”.  

“The fact that this very ‘Media & Press Bureau’ of the NPF Hqs. that has for years been projecting Neiphiu Rio, a three consecutive time leader of the NPF led DAN and Chief Minister of Nagaland, as a visionary, dynamic, accommodative, magnanimous and able Naga leader etc., but now taking a ‘U’ turn, accusing the tall Naga leader is unfortunate.”  

It further stated the Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, MP Neiphiu Rio and NPF Manipur unit President, Awangbow Newmai attending the second North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) conclave held at Delhi on September 5 “cannot in any way be criticized”.  

Rio had attended the aforesaid NEDA meeting following a formal invitation from the BJP National President through the Convenor, NEDA, it informed.  

“The minority group’s chagrin and unethical impropriety can only be surmised as a binge of extreme hopelessness which explains the confused state of mind,” it argued.  

Further stating that the case is now in the court of the Election Commission of India, the Rio-led group expressed hope for a favorable outcome. “We assure to abide by the final verdict, come what may.”