Dimapur, July 2 (EMN): Terming as ‘courageous’ the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s (NDPP) attempt to defend Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has stated that the people cannot be ‘taken for a joy-ride or be convinced by such pointless arguments produced by the NDPP.’
The NPF stated in a press release that was issued on Sunday that it was ‘least bothered of Neiphiu Rio as an individual but being the chief minister it is expected of him to make his stand clear on important issues such as integration of Naga contiguous areas and the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.’
It accused the NDPP of trying to ‘cover up the matter by claiming that the NPF was spreading lies and propaganda despite NETV and other national electronic media including print media disseminating the interaction with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 12 June at New Delhi, both in visual and print form.’
“The report, which went viral across various section of the media and under public domain is a standing witness to the subject and it is for the Naga people to judge whether the Naga Peoples’ Front is reiterating and asserting the legitimate rights of the Nagas or spreading ‘lies and propaganda’ as alleged.”
The NDPP, it stated, has no moral right to talk on the Naga political issue since it ‘has come under scanner of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for committing perjury while trying to get it registered under the ECI.’
“The NPF would like to highlight the fact and figure that Neiphiu Rio who was the then Home minister in Congress ministry during 2002 deserted the Congress party for reasons best known to him. 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. Infact, just to accommodate Rio into the party fold, the nomenclature of the party was change from NPC to NPF, therefore calling Rio as the founder of the NPF is not a new joke.
“Regarding the resolution on integration of Naga contiguous areas on 18 December 2003, it was initiated based on the political stand and policy of the Naga Peoples’ Front and therefore, Neiphiu 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.”
Prior to the ‘expansion of the Naga Peoples’ Front to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh,’ it stated, civil organisations such as the Naga Hoho, the Naga Students’ Federation and others had cohesively worked with the Nagas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh ‘and 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.’
