Nagas should not take politics lightly, says CM Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said that Nagas should not take politics lightly but read the ideologies of political parties that surface only during election time and vanish.

Addressing a public rally for Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Medo Yhokha at Kimipfuphe ground in Kigwema, Rio urged the people to stay committed to regional parties that stand for regional interests.

He advised the people to look for parties that will protect the Naga history and pursue the Naga political issue. While urging not fall prey to any political party that take the Naga interest lightly for their own gain, he said the NDPP is a secular party that is regional in character, national in outlook, and with global prospect to pursue.

The chief minister stressed on the need to strengthen the NDPP by electing more legislature to the state assembly than the 2018 election, saying that the new government will have take some crucial decisions in order to deliver justice to the Naga people.

Pointing out that capable leaders should be elected to the assembly to see change in the society, he urged the electorates of 14 Southern Angami-I AC to vote for the NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha so that he can work for the people.

Rio also said bogus census, electoral rolls, and household and school enrolment should be properly reviewed with transparency for posterity. He added that the next government will take up some pressing issues confronting the state, such as delimitation, demand of the Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation, and election to Urban Local Body (ULB) with 33% reservation for women.

He pointed out that the state government has been advocating transparency and meritocracy in the state, for which the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) has been set up and examinations conducted under it, thus strengthened the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) to a great extent.

Further, he highlighted the initiatives taken up by the state government such as Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Chief Minister Microfinance Initiative (CMMI) scheme; setting up of police sports battalion, and others.

Participated in the public rally for Shri. @MedoYhokha, @NDPPofficial candidate for 14-Southern Angami-1 A/C. He has made a notable representation in the NLA. I appeal to the constituents to vote for him so that he may serve you again. I appeal for peaceful and fair election. pic.twitter.com/p68QGIXumx

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 21, 2023

On Naga political issue

The chief minister shared that Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has expressed concern over the long-pending Naga political issue and said that it should be resolved at the earliest in order to provide opportunities to the youth.

He added that solving the Naga issue will pave the way for the state to get rid of the disturbed area tag under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) that has been in force since the attainment of statehood.

He said the Naga issue remains unsolved to this day due to the differences between the various NPGs despite the GoI signing the ‘Framework Agreement’ with the NSCN (IM) and the ‘Agreed Position’ with the WC-NNPG. However, he expressed optimism as the two major negotiating groups had signed a “Joint Accordant” to work together for early resolution of the common cause.

He added that pursuit of the government is to resolve the issue though the delay in bringing about a settlement has cast doubt on the GoI, state government and the Naga political groups (NPGs).

Addressing the gathering, Medo Yhokha, NDPP candidate for 14 Southern Angami-I AC appealed to the electorates of the constitution to re-elect him to the state legislative assembly. Sharing his visions and plans for the constituency, he said assured to focus on youth empowerment and skill upgrading, strengthening entrepreneurship, striving towards gender equality, enhancement of human resource, up scaling of local produce, and to promote environmental protection.

The public rally was chaired by Neizosie-o Rhutso, NDPP standby candidate for 14 Southern Angami-I AC, while solidarity speeches were delivered by Theyiekilie Tachu, Vice-president of NDPP Central; and former candidates Seyievilie Peter Zashumo and Krielezo Rio.

Also read: Naga peace talks underway, hopeful PM Modi’s initiative will bear fruit, says Amit Shah