Nephew Rio
– Photo: ANI
Expansion
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday expressed confidence from the public regarding the 16-point issue of Naga integration. He said the legislature would continue to push six resolutions advocating administrative integration of Naga-inhabited areas in a spirit of unity and solidarity, transcending party boundaries. He said that the issue emerging from the 16-point agreement, Naga integration remains a core part of the larger Naga political movement.
Addressing a public meeting on the 60th anniversary of the state assembly, CM Rio said that since 1964, the Nagaland Assembly has passed six resolutions advocating administrative integration of the Naga-populated areas. The most recent proposal of which was passed in 2018. He said that we will continue to pursue this goal in the spirit of unity and solidarity.
Efforts of MLAs regarding Naga integration
He said the 16-point agreement signed between the Nagas and the Center gave birth to Nagaland as a state of the Indian Union on December 1, 1963. The CM said that the formation of the State of Nagaland and the establishment of this Assembly are inextricably linked to the Naga political issue which remains central to the purpose and identity of the Nagas. Rio said that since statehood, every assembly has recognized the importance of the issue, discussing it in almost every session and passing a total of 17 resolutions calling for peaceful and inclusive talks.
Appreciated the platform of MLAs
He said the commitment of this Assembly towards the Naga issue reflects our collective responsibility to pursue peace and unity. The Forum of Nagaland MLAs has played an important role in the peace talks on Naga political issues. Along with this, justifying the absence of opposition in the House for two consecutive terms under his leadership since 2018, Rio said that in the 13th and 14th Assemblies, all the members have unitedly addressed the Naga political issue.
However, the Center is not accepting the NSCN-IM's demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, thereby delaying the final resolution of the decades-old issue. On the other hand, WC NNPG has agreed to accept whatever has been sanctioned now and continue negotiations for the remaining demand, but nothing has been achieved till date.
Nagaland: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio appreciated the efforts of the MLAs for Naga integration. He said those advocating administrative unification would continue to put forward six proposals.
