Naga issue is national issue: Rio in Parliament

EMN NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 11 Lok Sabha Member and former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio today asked the government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process and ongoing political dialogue and bring about an early solution in a time bound manner. Addressing the Lok Sabha in Zero Hour of today’s session, Rio said that the more than seven decades of conflict must be brought to its logical conclusion through an honorable solution that is acceptable to the people. Zero Hour in Parliament is reserved for addressing issues of urgent public importance and national issues. Rio told Parliament that the Naga issue is of utmost national importance and the peace process and negotiations must be approached to be resolved in a time bound manner. He recalled that in 2003, the then Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has stated in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, that "India recognizes and understands the unique history of the Nagas", adding that the Naga peace process must be approached as a national issue. “A peaceful, democratic and just conclusion will not only strengthen the foundations of Indian democracy but it will also bring to an end, the more than seven decades of violent conflict in a crucial region of the country that is of strategic importance in multi dimensional manner”, Rio said in his address. The Nagaland MP stated that the Naga political issue is termed as the mother of all insurgencies and the conflict is more than seven decades. A ceasefire was declared between the Government of India and the Naga political groups in 1997, however even after 17 years of ceasefire and dialogue, a solution to the protracted problem remains elusive till today. Rio appreciated the Government of India for appointment of a new interlocutor and welcomed the statement of the National Security Adviser who has expressed the sincerity of the Government of India in the ongoing peace process. He told the House that the Naga people have been crying out for peace and the peace process has the popular support of the people including the mass based civil societies, church organisations, tribal hohos, NGOs, and political parties. He informed Parliament that in the previous House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, all 60 MLAs under the banner of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) had unanimously resolved to support the peace process. This, he said is a significant achievement that cannot be undermined. The three times chief minister of Nagaland stated that the Naga People's Front (NPF) has declared in its election manifesto that the State Government will pave way for any solution that is honorable and acceptable to the people. This commitment, he said has removed all hurdles and obstacles and the ground has been prepared for realization of an honorable solution. Further he reiterated that it was on the basis of this commitment in the manifesto that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland was voted to power with the popular mandate of the people for three consecutive terms. Rio urged upon the Government of India to expedite the peace talks and give an offer of solution to the Naga people so that an honorable solution can be reached and permanent peace can be achieved which will pave way for accelerated development to take place.