Says Meiteis and Nagas will remain friends
Principal Correspondent
SENAPATI, MARCH 26
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today declared that Nagas and Meiteis will continue to remain as friends and neighbours for time to come.
Officially launching the Lok Sabha election campaign for Soso Lorho, NPF candidate for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency at Mini Stadium ground Senapati, Rio announced before a mammoth gathering “I have never said that Meiteis are enemies of Naga people, but I had said that Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh is the No. 1 enemy of Naga people for his failure to protect and serve the minority communities, including Naga people, in his state”.
Congratulating Ibobi for having successfully reigned for three consecutive terms, Rio said in sarcasm “Ibobi must have served three consecutive terms, but he did not serve the people but served only his High Command in Delhi, thereby failing the people”.
Recalling how Ibobi had tried to stop his entry into the same place to launch NPF Manipur unit in May 2012, Rio said it was ‘unconstitutional and undemocratic’. “It is not respecting the people but only the high command,” he said while clarifying “I never said Meiteis are our enemy as Nagas and Meiteis have been friends and remained as good neighbors since time immemorial and will continue to do so”.
Rio also lashed Manipur CM saying that Ibobi did not protect and do justice to the people, because his policies has been divide and rule upon minority community in Manipur, because of which Nagas and Kukis have been fighting. Nagas and Kukis wants protection of tradition and identity but Ibobi divides and rule, he added.
He therefore said that “we want a regional leader who can understand and know the peoples’ problems and serve them.
Rio maintained that by giving NPF candidate Soso Lorho a chance, not only rights of Nagas but those of the minority communities in the state will be assured.
Also expressing that several writers have described Naga political struggle as the mother of all insurgency related problems in the North East region, NPF’s priority is solution to the protracted Naga issue.
“If Naga political issue is solved, other issues will also be addressed and make NE one of the most peaceful region in the country,” he added.
Rio also referred to his office as Convenor of North East Regional Political Forum (NERPF), and maintained that the election of the NPF candidate would strengthen the NPF and NERPF to work better for the welfare of the people.
The sentiments were directed towards the Nagas of Manipur who he challenged and compared it to referendum.
Appreciating the support extended by the Meiteis during the programme as a group of Meiteis held placard which read “Meitei community welcomes Neiphiu Rio”, he said Nagas have been demanding integration of all Naga inhabited areas spread over the four states in the country as it is written in the 16 Point Agreement, which brought about Nagaland statehood while a resolution on integration has also been passed for four times in the Nagaland assembly.
Nonetheless, he said that it is upto the Government of India where and how we (Nagas) should be placed, and we should not fight with our neighbours but the protection and rights given to the Nagas in Nagaland should also provided to the Nagas in other states.
“Tribals and minorities of the North East should be protected,” he said while also asserting that the NERPF would take up the 17-point resolution adopted by the Forum in Delhi. The resolution has state-specific and common infrastructural problems of the North Eastern Region, he said.
He therefore appealed to all section of electorates to join hands together elect Lorho to strengthen NPF, NERPF and the regional aspirations as NPF. “Vote with conscious for peace and development of the North East Region,” he added.
NPF president Dr Shürhozelie in his address said NPF is the first recognized regional political party in the North East and it stands for peaceful solution of the Naga political issue as it is the top most priority of the party.
“NPF is not only a political organization but a political institution, because we represent the peoples identity, personality and we are your own party,” he said, adding NPF is regional in character and national in outlook.
He called upon the gathering to rise up to the opportunity to take up the responsibility for the welfare and cause of the Nagas in general.
He said that NPF entered into Manipur constitutionally and has provided the platform for the Naga people in the state to come and raise the voice together in the state Assembly.
Maintaining that NPF alone can bring development to the hill areas in the state, Dr. Shürhozelie said “UPA is not coming back to power at the Centre, so don’t know what will happen to the Congress government in Manipur,” he said adding that “Ibobi’s days are numbered, and may be he will rule for next three years but after that a coalition government will run the affairs of the state to which NPF will be a party.
He therefore called upon the party men and women to take up the challenge from the Lok Sabha polls and reach out to the grassroots level and prove their leadership.
Nagaland Minister for Planning & Coordination and Geology & Mining, TR Zeliang, who is also the convenor for NPF Manipur Unit election campaign, in his address was vocal stating Manipur government has failed the Naga people by exploring oil and petroleum products without the consent of the people. He also alleged that the government has intentionally diverted the National Highways and Railways to Imphal without touching Nagaland and Senapati districts while minority people are discriminated in the state. Therefore, he said given a chance the NPF candidate would work to resolve all such problems for the welfare of the people.
NPF candidate Soso Lorho, MLA L. Dikho, and ex-minister and president MSCP Y. Mani also spoke on the occasion. Executive Secretary TNBA Rev. Apila said the invocation and Pastor of Taphou BC, Shakpa said the benediction while MLA and convenor election core committee ST Victor Nunghlung tendered the vote of thanks. Special numbers were presented by Chonchon Varah and Mom in Touch.
