NPF will remain as long as Nagas exist: Rio

Correspondent KOHIMA, DECEMBER 12 THE Naga People’s Front (NPF) celebrated its 50 years of existence as the oldest regional political party in the North East region paying homage and respect to the pioneers of the party at Kohima Local Ground here today. The cock symbol regional party though, presently known as NPF, was formed on October 21, 1963 and christened Democratic Party of Nagaland (DPN) by a group of Naga leaders under the leadership of late A Kevichusa. Kevichusa also coined the motto “Fide non Armis” which in Latin means “By Faith not by Arms” and which continues to be the motto in use by the NPF. The DPN changed its nomenclature to United Front of Nagaland, United Democratic Front, Nagaland People’s Front and now Naga People’s Front to continue as the ‘cock’ party and as the oldest regional party not only in Nagaland but in the North East region. Delivering the key note address before over 10000 NPF workers from Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam today, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said “as long as the Naga people exist the cock symbol party will never vanish”. He said the NPF is the oldest regional party in the North East and the jubilee celebration should be taken as an occasion to look ahead to the future with new challenges for a better future. Rio said the challenges should not be mere on paper, but it should be backed up by carefully drawn up action plans to make the party a cadre-based and disciplined party that can withstand the test of difficult times. He said the new generation of the party workers comprise more educated and politically matured youth. “We have great hopes and expectations that they will take forward the aspirations of the people and the party to greater heights,” he said. He said during the past 50 years of Nagaland statehood, much progress and development has taken place in the State, especially in the social sectors such as education and health, and also in agriculture. The most significant achievement of the regional party government in the State is implementation of the policy of inclusiveness and grassroots participation in planning and implementation of government projects. Maintaining that Nagas have been divided into four states within India - Assam, Arunachal, Manipur and Nagaland - while a major chunk of the Nagas are in Myanmar, he asserted that the NPF will continue to work towards emotional, social, culture and political integration of the Naga people within and outside Nagaland. “Nagas are less in number and if we do not unite Nagas will vanish,” he said. He also expressed that Nagas should work to send own leaders to Parliament – one each from Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh ‘so that our voices will be heard in the Parliament’. Rio also reminded that Nagaland was given statehood under the 16-point agreement between NPC and government of India with special constitutional safeguards under Article 371 (A). He, however, lamented that the Union government is not fully committed in implementing all the provisions of the 16-Point Agreement and therefore, the NPF is committed to continue its fight for full implementation of the Agreement and special provisions under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution. On the ongoing Naga political issue, Rio said if the underground people are working for the people, they should listen to the voices of the people and reconcile among themselves so that an acceptable and honourable solution could be hammered out for permanent peace and development in the state. Expressing happiness that there is a relatively peaceful atmosphere in the State following the ceasefire agreement and ongoing political dialogue between Naga nationalists and the Centre, he appealed to the negotiating parties to expedite the process of resolving the decades-old Naga political problem for an honourable settlement at the earliest. He assured that the NPF party is fully committed to play the role of facilitator to the political dialogue and for bringing about unity and reconciliation, while maintaining equi-closeness with all nationalist groups. NPF president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, in his presidential address, said the party faced many ups and downs but continued its journey with firm belief that we represent the personality of the Naga people and it is only through this party that the aspiration of the Naga people can be fulfilled. “Towards this end, we never hesitate even to risk our political career if we can contribute something towards defending the right of the Naga people,” he added. Dr. Shürhozelie also released the jubilee souvenir. Also speaking on the occasion, Manipur State NPF unit president Soso Lorho and Arunachal State NPF unit president Tosham Mosang extended greetings while also asserting to stand up for the rights of the Naga people in their respective states. Minister for PHED and the senior most regional party leader Noke Konyak also exhorted the gathering while short speeches were delivered by NPF Central Working president Apong Pongener. The convention also honoured the pioneers of the regional party, started as Democratic Party of Nagaland and after changing several nomenclatures it is still using the ‘Cock’ as party symbol. Minister for Planning & Coordination, Evaluation and Geology & Mining, TR Zeliang chaired the function while NPF working president Huska Yepthomi delivered the welcome address and Parliamentary Secretary Dr Neikiesalie Kire tendered the vote of thanks. The celebration was marked by cultural presentations by various Naga tribes from Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The programme concluded with benediction by Parliamentary Secretary Deo Nukhu. NPF urges Centre to seriously implement Article 371(A) Correspondent KOHIMA, DECEMBER 12 THE Naga People’s Front (NPF) today urged the government of India to implement the special provisions as guaranteed to the Naga people under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. Adopting a six-point resolution during the golden jubilee celebration-cum-general convention here today, the NPF said the special provisions with respect to the state of Nagaland were inserted in Article 371 (A) of the Constitution as the outcome of the agreement between the Naga People Convention and government of India while granting statehood in 1963. Therefore, the NPF strongly urged the Centre to implement the provisions of the agreement in letter and spirit. On the unresolved Indo-Naga political process, the NPF convention maintained that it is now 17 years since the current ceasefire and peace process started, and whereas the yearnings of the Naga people for a permanent and honourable solution to the vexed Naga political issue remains unfulfilled and proves elusive for more than half a century. The NPF in this connection impressed upon the negotiating parties to expedite the peace process to its logical conclusions at the earliest. The NPF convention also welcomed the recent formation of North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) while also appreciating the initiatives and efforts of the Asom Gana Parishad in this area. The NPF hoped that the convergence of the likeminded regional political parties will usher a new era of peace and development in the North East region and also bring about better unity and fraternal relationship. The convention also asserted that NPF as a grassroots based political party is committed to a policy of inclusiveness, with special attention given to the development of the backward regions, and the weaker sections, including the development and empowerment of the youth, women and farmers. In commemoration of the 50 years of existence of the regional party in the State, the convention resolved to continue to uphold the principles and ideologies of this oldest regional party (NPF) in the region. The resolution was presented by Minister for Roads and Bridges Kuzholuzo Nienu and passed by symbolic raising of the hands by over 10000 people gathered in the ground.