CM Dr Neiphiu Rio and others take oath during party leadership ceremony at the NPF General Convention held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on October 21. (Morung File Photo)
Kohima, November 2 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister and President of Naga People’s Front (NPF), Dr Neiphiu Rio, has reiterated that the party is the guardian that upholds the identity and cultural values of the Naga people.
He also asserted that the coming together of the two regional political parties, the NPF and the erstwhile NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party), was a “result of God's grace and will.”
Speaking during the reception programme for the Secretary General at the new NPF Central Office Headquarters on November 1, CM Rio reaffirmed the party's commitment to regional unity and the protection of Naga identity.
Tracing the party's formation, evolution, and future goals, he said that the party's journey, from its formation in 1963 and its first election in 1964, has been guided by “God’s grace, the prayers of believers, and the wisdom of elders.”
The newly anointed President also noted that although the Nagas are a small group, “no one has conquered us,” highlighting how the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 and Article 371(A) of the Constitution continue to protect Naga land, culture, and customary laws.
“We are here to protect the rights of the Nagas. While we are under the Constitution of India, many provisions of the 16-Point Agreement remain unfulfilled, and we must continue to fight for them,” he asserted.
CM Rio also recalled his early years as a youth leader and his role in the creation of the Nagaland People’s Front in 2002, later renamed the Naga People’s Front (NPF) to include Nagas from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
“When we formed the NPF, we had nothing but determination. By God’s blessing and people’s support, we built this party brick by brick,” he said.
Referring to the recent merger between NPF and NDPP legislators, CM Rio termed it a “historic unification” that reflects Naga solidarity.
“The coming together of 32 MLAs with 2 MLAs is symbolic of unity and purpose. We are returning to the mainstream historical party that stood for the Nagas,” he added.
CM Rio also spoke about the change of the state emblem from the Ashoka Chakra to the Mithun, calling it a symbol of Naga pride and unity.
“Our new state motto, Unity, represents our strength. Oneness makes us strong and earns us respect,” he emphasised.
Cautioning against greed and political division, he remarked, “God or nature can provide for our needs, but not our greed. Greed blinds us and divides us.”
The NPF President also urged party members to show discipline, humility, and a sense of duty in serving the Naga people.
“To be in a regional party is not easy—it is a burden and a sacrifice. But fighting for the Nagas is our responsibility,” he held.
He expressed his gratitude to party colleagues and noted that while he would eventually retire as the 10th President of NPF, the “legacy, ideology, and principles must live on through the younger generations.”
CM Rio also called upon party leaders to bury all hatred amongst one another and start afresh, stating that the party serves not individuals but the people; therefore, serving the people should be its priority.
NPF ‘a movement’
MLA and NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, in his speech, categorically stated that the NPF is not just a political party that contests elections but a movement for the Naga people, and he reminded everyone to carry on that responsibility.
He also urged all party workers to prioritise the party's aims, objectives, ideology, and principles in whatever they do.
Kikon further recalled that it was through God's will, people's cooperation, and the boldness of the Chief Minister, who guided and navigated the process, that the two regional political parties were able to come together.
In his closing remarks, NPF Working President Ahovi Zhimomi urged all party members to work in unity and strengthen the NPF's foundation for future generations, informed a press release from the NPF.
