Dimapur, August 21 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who recently met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi has informed the Prime Minister of India on the formation of a common Naga platform. Dr. Singh was told that it was with the objective of “negotiating with one Naga voice with India.”
In a letter to the PM, a copy of which was made available to the media, Rio said that the state government was acting as a facilitator and had taken several initiatives to bring the Naga people under a common platform. He informed the PM that the Naga Consultative Meet was held in Kohima March 5-7 which was attended by all sections of Naga civil society, political parties, oversea Nagas and the underground groups. Rio also told the PM that during the consultative meet, he had stressed on the need for a peaceful negotiated settlement that is honorable and acceptable to the Naga people and had urged all sections to adhere to non-violence.
The Nagaland Chief Minister reminded the PM on their earlier meeting in June 2009 where the PM had “enthusiastically” told the CM that “this time we should resolve the Naga political problem within our tenure.”
Rio in his letter to the PM stated that this “expression of intent and concern” of India’s PM had created “new confidence in the mind of the people that finally there is opportunity and prospects for solution of the six decade old Naga political problem.”
He conveyed to the PM that the common platform and the consultative meet were initiated with the objective of an early resolution to the Naga political problem. The PM was also informed of the six resolutions passed at the meet.
The PM was told that this is the “opportune moment” to take forward the Naga political dialogue to its logical conclusion through an honorable settlement that is acceptable to the people.
“The Naga people have been crying out for permanent peace and permanent settlement of the Naga political issue. And we have every confidence in your leadership to help the Nagas realize these dreams and aspirations,” Rio stated in his letter to the PM. The chief minister added that the DAN government was committed to making way for any alternative arrangement that may come about as a result of the political settlement.
