Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 14
Naga People’s Front (NPF) today said that it was “flabbergasted and outrightly” reject the alleged “controversial and contradictory statement” of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio that appeared in certain section of the media on June 12 on the issue of Naga integration and Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.
The NPF was amused to see “Rio's statement clearly stating that the integration of the Naga contiguous area is not possible,” stated a press release from the NPF Central Headquarter.
His statement has in fact shocked the Naga people in entirety, specially, because of his being the incumbent Chief Minister, it said further charging that “Under Neiphiu Rio, the future of the Nagas is no longer safe."
Meanwhile, rejecting and opposing the purported statement, NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon demanded Rio’s “explanation to the Naga people” saying it was "totally against the aspiration and the sentiments of the Naga people.”
“We totally reject and oppose his statement,” Kikon said while addressing a press conference here this afternoon.
Kikon also alleged that when all the Naga national workers are trying their best to hammer out a solution, “instead of taking the issue forward, instead of putting positive impetus, this we find it making it a hurdle for peace process.”
“This statement itself is a hurdle for peace process and towards political solution. Therefore, NPF strongly condemn and object this statement,” he said.
MLA Imkong L. Imchen said he failed to understand what pushed Rio to make such statement.
He also claimed that the BJP government in Delhi must have threatened him (Rio) so he must have spoken out of compulsion, “otherwise he himself would not speak like this.”
He said it will be befitting to bring it into domain of the Naga people of such two issues immediately so that the collective wisdom of the Naga people come together and react accordingly.
The NPF release also recalled that Neiphiu Rio had resigned from the Congress Ministry in 2002 opposing the publication of the booklet, “Bedrock of Naga Society” by the NPCC.
The Naga people at that point of time appreciated the stand of Rio and consequent upon which he was voted to power in 2003, it added.
NPF also reminded that Rio was very much part and parcel of the NPF for the last 15 years and its NPF government and till the other day, Rio as the then NPF leader believed that the integration of the “Nagas is the birth right of the Naga people and there is no room for compromise to this principle stand.”
“The integration of the Naga contiguous area was also important component of the 16th Point Agreement para (13) and Constitution of India Article 371 (A) Clause-IV even though in Clause 13 of the 16th Point Agreement, it further affirmed. In this regard, the NPF said it will solicit the patriotic opinion and support of the Naga people.
