Kohima, July 2 (MExN): In response to the NDPP press statement published on July 2 regarding Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s statement on integration of Naga areas, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) today stated “the Nagas cannot be taken on a joy-ride or be convinced by such pointless arguments produced by the NDPP.”
Being the Chief Minister of the State, NPF asserted, it is expected of Rio to make his stand clear on important issues such as integration of Naga contiguous areas and Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.
“The not even a one-year old Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), whose very survival as a political party has come under scanner of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for committing perjury while trying to get it registered under the ECI has no moral right to talk on the Naga political issue vis-à-vis integration of Naga contiguous areas,” added a rejoinder from NPF Press Bureau.
NDPP, the Opposition party stated, has “no moral authority whatsoever” to defend Rio on any issue that relates to the interest of the citizens of Nagaland in particular and especially on the Naga political issue.
The NPF further highlighted that Rio, who was the then Home Minister in Congress ministry during 2002, “deserted the Congress party for reasons best known to him.” It claimed, “His political career was almost shattered until the ‘Cock Party’ came to his rescue which he later attempted to freeze the ‘Cock symbol’ out of frustration before forming his present day NDPP.”
Regarding the resolution on integration of Naga contiguous areas on December 18, 2003, the rejoinder said it was initiated based on the political stand and policy of the Naga People’s Front and therefore, Rio or his “infant” political party “has no moral right to claim credit for the same.”
The resolution was the fifth resolution adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), while four others were adopted prior to Neiphiu Rio becoming the Chief Minister, it added.
With regard to NDPP giving credit to Rio for expansion of NPF to Manipur, NPF responded that the then Planning Minister, TR Zeliang was NPF minister in-charge of Manipur “who selflessly initiated the ground work and upon its completion, Neiphiu Rio as Chief Minister was taken to Senapati to launch the Party.”
Maintaining that prior to expansion of the party to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, civil societies like the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation and others had cohesively worked with the Nagas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the NPF rejoinder stated, to claim that it was Neiphiu Rio who ignited emotional integration is not only “misinterpretation of history”, but “an insult to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of various Naga leaders and civil societies alike.”
The NPF further noted it has reiterated time and again that Rio as the Chief Minister of Nagaland should personally make its stand clear before the Nagas as “his statement has put a big hurdle on the ongoing peace process.”
Should the ongoing peace process derail, Rio and the PDA Government should be solely held responsible, it added.
