Our Correspondent
Senapati, Feb. 16 (EMN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday called upon the Nagas to unify and vote for the Naga cause, stating that Nagas need to be visible and heard in the temple of democracy – assembly and parliament – by electing representatives who can speak for their rights.
He stated this while addressing the Naga People’s Front (NPF) party campaign kick-off event for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections at Senapati.
Manipur will go to the polls on February 28 and March 5 to elect 60 legislators.
Rio appealed to all the right-thinking Naga people to support the NPF candidates with ‘thumping majority’, signalling and giving the mandate to resolve the Naga issue so that people can move forward.
Rio also maintained that post solution, many opportunities would come, including increase in the number of seats in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and legislature, which will happen in the Naga areas in both Nagaland and Manipur.
Further, he challenged the people to first think for the Nagas and second for themselves (individual). ‘How much you try to survive, if Nagas do not survive, you will not survive; if Nagas survive, everybody will survive, so Naga should come first,’ he said.
He highlighted a brief history of the reorganisation of the NPF party in 2002, how it formed the government in 2003 and subsequent change from Nagaland People’s Front to Naga People's Front (NPF) for the people to participate in the Naga movement for identity, tradition, culture, oneness and Naga family.
Rio also pointed out how the NPF penetrated into Manipur and won four MLA seats despite huge resistance from the Manipur government led by the then CM Ibobi Singh and pressure from the then Union Home Minister in 2011.
The chief minister relayed that in Nagaland, NDPP and BJP were in a ‘comfortable alliance’ but decided to form an all-party government under United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to pursue the Naga political issue and find a settlement.
Citing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA), and United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which the NDPP, NPF and BJP are allies, he said “there should be no restriction for me to come and campaign here”.
He said that the NDPP had come to Senapati to show solidarity to the NPF and its party candidates with good wishes.
‘Naga unity means a lot for the negotiation and for bringing solution,’ he asserted.
He alleged that during the Ibobi-led government, the tribals in Manipur, particularly Nagas were antagonised.
While claiming that Ibobi’s attitude and approach towards law and order was ‘at its lowest particularly in the Naga areas’, he said things have improved tremendously after the entry of NPF MLAs to the assembly in the government led by Biren Singh. He exuded hope that this relationship continues.
‘As neighbours and as a good neighbourhood, we can go together side by side; it is a process of nation building and therefore we should continue by adopting the non-violence policy,’ stated Rio.
With Nagaland scheduled to hold general election in early parts of 2023, Rio said his priority is the Naga political issue, to find a solution without facing the election.
Citing the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN-IM and Agreed Position with the WC-NNPG, he wonders why a settlement is still not arrived at.
“I see no reason why there cannot be a settlement, whatever competency is agreed, take that agreement and whatever point cannot be resolved, continue the discussion because the public want settlement, peace and opportunities for the youth and the younger generations to come,” he said.
However, he asserted that the youth of today, the students and the concerned public have to give mandate for solution and non-violence. Pointing out that there should be no violence in the society, no extortion and no illegal taxation, he said ‘the burden is too much and the struggle too long’.
Maintaining that the Government of India has recognised the Naga history as unique and the political issue, Rio said ‘we should not think that the Naga movement is a failure but is a partial success, and if we can take settlement now collectively and unitedly, opportunities will be given, platforms will be given to our youth’.
He added that privilege and protection should be extended to all Nagas.
Meanwhile, the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) in Manipur had declared that it will not field any candidate for the state polls but support NPF unconditionally.
Earlier President of NPF, Manipur state unit (MSU) Awangbow Newmai delivered the welcome address while Secretary General of NPF, Achumbemo Kikon introduced the 10 NPF candidates.
Working president, NPF Central, Dr. Huskha Yepthomi also said at the event that the party had penetrated into Manipur to protect the identity, culture and religion of the Naga people, while urging the people to vote for the party that will speak for the Nagas.