Solution before elections, Rio tells central government

Dimapur, August 4 (EMN): Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio on Friday appealed the government of India to “work out a solution” to the Indo-Naga peace talks before the conduct of polls to the state assembly elections scheduled for February next year.
This was contained in the MP’s speech made to the Lower House on Friday, a copy of which was issued to the press by the former’s publicity team. “I rise to highlight the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue and the peace process. The framework agreement between government of India and the NSCN (IM) was signed on 3rd August 2015 in the presence of prime minister, home minister and a host of VIPs and top officials in New Delhi.
“Yesterday marks (sic) the completion of 2 years since the signing of the historic agreement. The government of India realised that the Indo-Naga conflict is not a law and order problem but a political issue so government of India has been trying to resolve it through political means since 1980’s,” Rio told the Lok Sabha.
He went on to list six other prime ministers of India, from Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 to Manmohan Singh in 2004, who have also been involved in the deal.
“The Indo-Naga political problem is more than eight decades old and precedes Indian independence. Twenty precious years have passed since the signing of ceasefire and political dialogue between the negotiating parties. I want to inform this august House that the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in its election manifesto had declared that it would pave the way for a settlement, if an honourable solution can come about.
“For the first time, a Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) constituted by all 60 members of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly was formed in 2009 which resolved to pave the way for an alternative arrangement acceptable to the people. Cutting across party lines the legislators jointly met the then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, opposition leaders and various national leaders in August 2012 in Delhi”.
Rio told the House that the latest resolution to be adopted by the legislators of Nagaland was on May 27 last, reiterating to pave way for an honourable settlement. “This was followed by visit of the JLF members to Delhi and submission of a memorandum to Prime Minister, Modi on 16th July, 2015 urging him to expedite the peace process.
“It is pertinent to voice the desire of the Naga people once again on the floor of Parliament, the cry of the people for a political settlement which will usher in genuine peace and development in the state. I urge the government of India to bring the political negotiations to its logical conclusion in a manner that is honourable, acceptable and wholesome, keeping in mind that the issue is political and the Nagas have a unique history”, the speech copy read.