Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 25
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today disclosed that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed keen desire to resolve the Naga issue within the present tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Rio expressed deep appreciation to the Prime Minister for ‘his sincerity’ towards resolving the Naga political issue at the earliest.
Briefing newspersons of his recent visit to New Delhi, at his official chambers here this afternoon, the chief minister said the Prime Minister had in his first sentence after the formal courtesies, clearly stated, “We have to resolve the Naga political issue within this term”. Welcoming the statement and appreciating the sincerity and concern of the UPA government towards resolving the protracted Naga political issue, Rio expressed hope that it will not be long before a settlement is found. Towards this, he made a fresh appeal to all political parties, organizations and civil society to cooperate and work towards a solution to the Naga issue.
On the DAN government’s extending unconditional support to the UPA government, Rio said the decision was taken in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland. On the state Congress’ charge of Rio playing a double-standard game, he rubbished the allegation pointing out that the DAN government had supported the last UPA government too. By extending support to the UPA does not mean that the DAN has become UPA or a part of it, he asserted. The chief minister had also personally handed a letter of support to the Prime Minister during his Delhi visit.
Meanwhile, Rio said he has also personally taken up the issue of the Nagas of Myanmar with the Prime Minister as well as the Ambassador of Myanmar during his Delhi visit. Rio is hopeful of working out some ways to help improve the living conditions of the Nagas living in Myanmar. He said Ambassador U-Kyi Thein had said the people of Myanmar and Nagaland are brothers of one family and had expressed his keenness to have close relationship with the Naga people.
The Myanmar Ambassador’s keenness, Rio said, was evident when he (Thein) proposed cultural exchanges and assured that Myanmar would soon invite the Nagas to Yangon to discuss about Naga issues and to take up developmental activities.
Thein had also impressed upon Rio to pursue with the Indian Government for financial assistance to the Nagas for construction of schools, roads, healthcare facilities, etc. On behalf of the Nagas, Rio said, he has invited the Ambassador to Nagaland and to visit the Nagaland-Myanmar border areas.
On the recent merger of the BJP with the NPF, Rio welcomed the “bold and swift” decision of the BJP legislators and the rank and file of the BJP to merge with the NPF without any conditions. Also, noting that the DAN consensus candidate for the Lok Sabha, C. M Chang had won by the highest margin recorded in the entire country, Rio termed as the united mandate of the Nagas for peace, unity and development.
