Kohima, June 19 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) Central Youth Wing today stated that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s statement before the media in New Delhi on June 12 that it was not possible to physically integrate Naga contiguous areas has left many “baffled, shattered and disgraced.”
“To no surprise, Rio and his cohorts like in the past four years, wasted no time in diverting the subject matter to TR Zeliang’s qualification once again. Diverting the pertinent issues and shifting blames on others has become the professional trademark of Rio,” stated NPF Central Youth Wing Press & Media Wing in a press release.
The youth wing asserted it “seriously views that Rio cannot compromise the Naga issue as his personal properties simply, as he does not own the Nagas.”
“One should remember that thousands of Nagas living across Indian state with artificial boundary and Myanmar have sacrificed their lives and everything, during the last several decades fighting for common Naga aspirations to live as one People,” it added.
“Today, in total disregard to their dreams and aspirations, Rio has made a blunder by making such declaration on Naga Integration Issue without consulting the people.”
Rio, the NPF youth wing maintained, has no moral right to take such “unilateral decision” whatsoever on Naga issue, unless, “he is personally challenging the Naga people to try bringing him down from his lofty chair of the Chief Ministership.”
The release added, “While his 100-days promise in Nagaland is turning into hogwash, Rio is busy washing the feet of the Central bigwigs at New Delhi and nodding to every dictate term(s) be it Naga Integration Issue or Citizens Amendment Bill, just to remain afloat...”
The youth wing further claimed that Rio and his NDPP will soon face its “doomsday” when Election Commission of India (ECI) will stick to its rule book, though the NDPP has pleaded for 8 weeks time-extension to file its response.
It also expressed belief in the two negotiating parties (GoI and Naga leaders) that the issue on Naga integration will be amicably settled.
“Therefore, the Chief Minister of the day should not take undue advantage merely for his self-vested interest and political gain at the cost of the whole Nagas.”
