Dimapur, July 4 (EMN): The chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, has iterated that the statement he gave on July 12 in Delhi about the issue of integration of the Naga areas, was not a personal statement but a secondary iteration referring to what was discussed during the meeting. The statement does not represent the opinion of either the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), or that of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the chief minister’s office (CMO) stated in a press release that was issued to the media on Wednesday.
The CMO referred to the reactions in the media to Rio’s statement on June 12 in New Delhi after his having met with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and other central officials.
“Upon being asked about the issue of integration by the media in the course of the interview, I only replied as to what was told to us by the GoI (government of India). Negotiations have been going on for the last 21 years and therefore, it is the desire of the Naga people that an early solution should come. I had also clearly mentioned that the demand for integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas is genuine,” the CMO stated.
The central government has also recognized the ‘genuineness of the demand,’ the press release stated.
‘I had clearly stated, "That was the point in discussion" and so, it goes to prove that this issue was discussed in the meeting. They are not my personal views or the views of the NDPP or the PDA government. My office has clarified this on 14th June 2018 while the NDPP has also clarified the same on 15th June, 2018,’ the CMO stated in reminding detractors.
Here, Rio stated that the PDA government’s declared policy is to play the role of ‘active facilitator’ to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. “We will continue to extend our support and cooperation for an early resolution to the decades old imbroglio through a political agreement that is honorable and acceptable to the people. My track record vis-à-vis the Naga political movement, over the decades, speaks volumes for itself and as for me and my government, we have never deviated from our stand on the Naga peace process and the issue of integration,” the chief minister stated.
While assuring to stand committed to the aspirations of the Naga people, Neiphiu Rio expressed regret that if nevertheless any section had misunderstood the matter due to misinterpretation in the sections of the media. ‘...then it is regretted. I hope that with this statement, the truth will prevail and the matter will be put to rest,’ he said.
“I appeal to all sections to continue to make collective efforts to bring the Naga family together under a spirit of oneness and unity for the greater cause of achieving lasting peace for our people,” the press release added.
