EMN
DIMAPUR, JULY 16
NAGALAND MP Neiphiu Rio today extended “heartiest congratulations” to PB Acharya on his appointment as Nagaland Governor. In a press note the MP and former Chief Minister called him the” man of the masses” and expressed confidence that the “vast experience” of over five decades of “involvement with people of Nagaland and the north east region at the grass root level” will greatly benefit the people of the state. Rio commented that the Governor designate has made significant contributions for the welfare of the people especially the “youth, students and the down trodden”.
Rio expressed hope that the Acharya will make a positive impact on Nagaland during his tenure. He made a specific reference to the ongoing peace process and termed the “strong desire of the people for a solution to the decades old problem” to be the most important agenda for the people, Rio said there was confidence that the peace process will be strengthened and the process of permanent peace will be facilitated with Acharya as Governor.
The note also expressed optimism in both the leaders working together towards the “common responsibility of serving the nation”.
Rio’s resignation yet to be accepted by NERPF
Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, JULY 16
FORMER chief minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, the Lok Sabha MP from the state, has resigned as the convener of the North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) but the latter is yet to accept the resignation.
Discussion on the matter by the NERPF constituents will be held ‘very soon’ on the development.
This was disclosed to Newmai News Network this evening by Atul Bora, the co-convener of NERPF and also the leader of Asom Gana Parishad.
Atul Bora said that the meeting is likely to be held in Guwahati in the next few days time to discuss the matter. Bora, however, on behalf of the NERPF expressed gratitude to Neiphiu Rio for his effort and service rendered to the North East region through the NERPF.
Neiphiu Rio resigned as the convener of the NERPF citing instances such as the failure of the AGP-BJP alliance materialization in Assam and one NERPF unit People’s Party of Arunachal Pradesh voting against the NDA in the Rajya Sabha polls. He said such moves from the NERPF units contradicted the Front’s stand.
It can be recalled here that Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party of Meghalaya (HSPDPM), the Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Manipur Democratic People’s Front (MDPF), Mizo National Front (MNF(, People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA)and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) are the ten political parties that have formed the NERPF on October 20 last year in Guwahati.
It is worthwhile to note here that safeguarding of cultural, social, political and economic rights of the people of the region and to continuously strive to protect the distinctive identifies of the ethnic tribes and of all the people of the region are some of the objectives of the NERPF.
Other important agendas of NERPF are that all illegal migrants from Northeast region be deported, reservation of 80 per cent jobs for locals in government and private sectors, implementation of the look east policy, rebuilding a portion of the historic Stillwell road, a rethink on AFSPA and similar issues reflecting the local sentiments.
