Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio with Joel Naga and Achumbemo Kikon during the merger programme of RPP with NPF in Kohima on July 11. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 11
Nagaland Chief Minister and Naga People's Front (NPF) president Dr Neiphiu Rio on July 11 said the party's doors were open to all those who believed in unity, peace and the greater good of the Naga people, while making a special appeal to Nagas in Manipur to join the regional party ahead of the state's Assembly elections.
Addressing a programme marking the merger of the Rising People's Party (RPP) with the NPF in Kohima, Rio said, "The NPF belongs to you too. This is your platform. Come forward. Participate. Strengthen the movement for Naga unity and oneness."
Calling for the creation of a common political platform that sincerely articulated the aspirations of the people, Rio said politics should not be about differences alone but also about building bridges, promoting reconciliation and creating hope for future generations.
Referring to Nagaland's opposition-less government, Rio said all elected members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had agreed to work together in a spirit of unity and oneness for the larger cause of resolving the Naga political issue.
"This is not merely a political arrangement. It carries a deeper message. It is a message that, on the most important issue concerning the future and destiny of the Naga people, we must stand together," he said.
Rio reiterated that the Naga political issue remained at the top of the agenda of both the NPF and the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government and urged all sections of Naga society to unite.
"Our message of unity must be sent out loud and clear to every section of our society, to every Naga community, to all negotiating parties, to the Government of India and to the world," he said.
Observing that Nagas had historically remained divided by opinions, organisations and geographical boundaries, Rio said artificial administrative divisions had placed members of the same family, village and tribe under different states and even different countries.
He noted that Nagas now lived across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, while nearly one-third of the Naga population lived in Myanmar.
"These are man-made boundaries. They cannot erase our history. They cannot change our identity. They cannot remove the bonds of blood, culture, tradition and belonging that make us one people," he said.
Rio said the aspiration for the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas remained alive, although immediate physical integration might not be possible under the prevailing circumstances.
"If physical integration cannot be immediately achieved, then we must constantly and tirelessly work towards emotional integration. We must bring our people closer. We must build bridges between Naga communities and strengthen people-to-people relationships," he said.
He also called for creating platforms where youth, women, elders, intellectuals, civil society organisations and political leaders could interact and work together to realise the aspirations of future generations.
NPF committed to building more prosperous Nagaland
Stating that the NPF remained one of the most important political platforms for Nagas across their contiguous homeland, Rio said the party's vision could not be confined by political or administrative boundaries.
He said the NPF was currently part of the governments in Nagaland and Manipur and was prepared to strengthen and expand its presence in other states and areas inhabited by Nagas.
Emphasising that peace and development must go hand in hand, Rio said the party remained committed to building a stronger and more prosperous Nagaland through improved roads, connectivity, infrastructure, digital access, quality education, healthcare and employment opportunities.
He said the government was working to attract investment, promote industries, encourage entrepreneurship and improve livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, while ensuring that women and youth became equal partners in the state's development.
Referring to the party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rio said the NPF remained committed to the partnership, which was guided by the shared objective of securing an early solution to the Naga political issue and accelerating development in the state.
At the same time, he said, the party would continue to safeguard Naga identity, traditions and values.
‘We shall not compromise Christian values’
Rio also stressed the importance of preserving Nagaland's Christian heritage, saying Christianity had brought education, literacy, healthcare and social transformation to the state.
"Our faith remains central to our lives, and we shall not compromise the Christian values that have shaped our society and inspired generations of Nagas," he said, while affirming respect for the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.
Describing the NPF as "a regional party with a national outlook and global alignments", Rio said its cooperation with the Centre and national political parties reflected its commitment to peace, stability and development.
He said the NPF, as a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), remained committed to contributing to India's nation-building process while protecting the interests and aspirations of the Naga people.
