DIMAPUR, JULY 4 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday issued a rejoinder over the controversy arising out of his statement made before the media on the integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas on June 12 after he along with a delegation met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and officials of the Government of India.
In a press communiqué, Rio defended that he had only conveyed to the media of what as told to the delegation by the GoI. Pointing out that negotiations have been going on for the last 21 years, he said it was therefore the desire of the Naga people that an early solution should come.
Rio also claimed that he had clearly mentioned that the demand for integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas is genuine and that the GoI has also recognized the genuineness of the demand. “They are neither my personal views nor the views of the NDPP or the PDA Government. My office has clarified this on June 14, 2018 while the NDPP has also clarified the same on 15th June, 2018,” Rio stated.
The Chief Minister also maintained that PDA government’s declared policy is to play the role of active facilitator to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.
While vowing to continue extending support and cooperation for an early resolution to the decades old imbroglio through a political agreement that is honorable and acceptable to the people, Rio said he and his government has never deviated from “our stand on the Naga peace process and the issue of integration. We stand committed to the genuine aspirations of the Nagas.”
