NAGALAND: CM NEIPHIU RIO CLARIFIES NAGA TERRITORIAL INTEGRATION ISSUE

5 July 2018:

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday issued a rejoinder over his statement given in front of the media on 12th June 2018, in New Delhi over a delegation where he met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and officials of the Government of India.

In a press communique Rio defended that he had only conveyed to the media of what as told to the delegation by the Government of India. He also pointed out the negotiations which have been going on for the last 21 years and therefore he said that it is the desire of the Naga people that an early solution should come.

Rio also claimed that he had clearly mentioned that the demand for integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas is genuine and that the Government of India has also recognized the genuineness of the demand. “They are neither my personal views nor the views of the NDPP or the PDA Government. My office has clarified this on June 14, 2018 while the NDPP has also clarified the same on 15th June, 2018,” Rio added.

The Chief Minister also stated that PDA government’s declared policy is to play the role of active facilitator to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. He also vowed to continue extending support and cooperation for an early resolution to the decade’s old imbroglio through a political agreement that is honourable and acceptable to the people.

Moreover Rio said he and his government have never deviated from “our stand on the Naga peace process and the issue of integration. We stand committed to the genuine aspirations of the Nagas.”

Further Rio hopes that his statement will prevail the truth and the matter will be put to rest. And he also appeals to all the sections to keep collective efforts to bring Naga family together under a spirit of oneness and unity for the greater cause to achieve lasting peace for their people.