Chizokho Vero
Senapati (Manipur) | June 28
Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today said it was unfortunate for Nagas that the British rule in this part of the globe starting from the 17th century arranged their administrative units according to their convenience.
“They might have done it without any ulterior move and at the same time our forefathers were also not aware that those arrangements would be disastrous for us in future as it is to us today,” he said, while addressing political conference-cum-interface of NPF Manipur State unit here today.
Today, he said, we have Nagaland state, a big area in Manipur state, some area in Arunachal Pradesh, some in Assam and big area is in Myanmar (Myanmar portion is in another country and, therefore, it is beyond the boundary of our discussion today).
“When we talk about integration, we mean to cover Naga inhabited areas in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam,” he added.
“This agenda is allergic to some of our neighbours. But the truth is that Nagas belong to the same family. It is our birth right and our fundamental right. We are Nagas by blood and not by choice,” he said, adding when members of the same family express the desire to live together, they have not done anything wrong against anybody.
He said Nagaland Legislative Assembly had passed resolution to this effect four times (12 December 1964, 28 August 1970, 16 September 1994 and 18 December 2003).
He said on such subject, “our people have been facing hurdles due to stiff opposition from some of our neighboring states.”
“We have seriously examined the issues and thought that if physical integration is not immediately possible, we must make a beginning to bring about emotional integration,” he said. One of such steps was to introduce NPF party into Manipur state.
The NPF party was launched in Manipur state on May 28, 2011.
Pointing out that the 11th general election in Manipur is fast approaching, he reminded the party workers they have hardly 7 clear months to work from now on. He said it is a time to fix priorities and move ahead without further delay.
The NPF chief also alleged that the Congress government under “Mr. Ibobi’s leadership had played divisive politics which resulted in creating an atmosphere of hatred between the different sections of the people.”
Minister for School Education & SCERT Yitachu, who is also cabinet in-charge of NPF Manipur state unit said that in democracy only the political party has backing of the masses behind. In this, political platform is a must to fight for “our rights, to fight for our cause and search for our rights and achieve the goals.”
On entry of NPF into Manipur State, he said that it was launched there not to take away anything but to see that justice prevails in the State for some section of the people. He asserted the party’s entry into the State was not going to create any enmity to any group or community but to the see that equality and justice prevail and opportunity is given to any community whether small or big community.
He also stated that in the event of any immediate future election to take place in Nagaland, the present set up of NPF under the presidentship of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and present Chief Minister TR Zeliang will return with a thumping majority.
