Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and NPF party president Dr. Shurhozelie along with Lok Sabha MP Khekiho, ministers and party workers at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the NPF office complex, Dimapur, Monday. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur | June 27 : Naga People’s Front (NPF) President and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Shurhozelie, and Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, today narrated the initial struggles of the regional party to the present status where the party has already spread its wings to two neighbouring states. “In the early years, our regional party was branded as a legal wing of illegal organizations. We were looked upon as anti-India for so many years,” the NPF party President said after unveiling the foundation stone of the NPF office complex, Dimapur.
Dr. Shurhozelie, the chief guest of the foundation laying ceremony, also said that in the past when the party was struggling to carve as niche for itself to represent the collective aspirations of the Naga people, even a Deputy Commissioner did not hesitate to pick up quarrels with a regional party legislator. “Today, India has recognized this party and also recognized Naga history as unique,” Shurhozelie said.
On the recent split in the GPRN/NSCN camp, he said that it was sad to see the divisions and splits among the Naga underground groups. “But NPF will continue to strive for honourable settlement of the Naga political issue and as facilitator in the ongoing peace process,” Shurhozelie said. The NPF President also reiterated NPF’s “declared policy” to pave the way in case a settlement to the Naga issue comes about.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who was also present at the foundation laying ceremony said that NPF party has come a long way since inception of statehood. He thanked the pioneers of the oldest regional party in the North East for braving the ups and downs the party faced and nurturing the party to its present respectable status.
“I see future in this party. If we remain united, if we carry issues of the people, I think we will continue to serve the people,” Rio said. Claiming that national political parties with their “high command” can never fully understand the Naga character and problems faced by Nagas, the Chief Minister also said that regional parties have gained popularity in many states as these parties know the problems of the grassroots.
“It is in the interest of Nagas the regional party rules. NPF is regional in character, national in outlook and acts globally,” Rio said. Both Rio and Shurhozelie urged the NPF party leaders and workers to remain dedicated and uphold the policies and visions of the regional party.
The state’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi, also exhorted party workers. NPF Dimapur Division president, Shilu Sangtam, delivered welcome address and NPF vice president (in-charge Dimapur) TL Merry proposed vote of thanks. Among others, Planning and Coordination minister TR Zeliang, newly elected MLA Toshipokba, NPF Manipur unit president Gaigam and other NPF party leaders, attended the programme. `
Dr. Shurhozelie, the chief guest of the foundation laying ceremony, also said that in the past when the party was struggling to carve as niche for itself to represent the collective aspirations of the Naga people, even a Deputy Commissioner did not hesitate to pick up quarrels with a regional party legislator. “Today, India has recognized this party and also recognized Naga history as unique,” Shurhozelie said.
On the recent split in the GPRN/NSCN camp, he said that it was sad to see the divisions and splits among the Naga underground groups. “But NPF will continue to strive for honourable settlement of the Naga political issue and as facilitator in the ongoing peace process,” Shurhozelie said. The NPF President also reiterated NPF’s “declared policy” to pave the way in case a settlement to the Naga issue comes about.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who was also present at the foundation laying ceremony said that NPF party has come a long way since inception of statehood. He thanked the pioneers of the oldest regional party in the North East for braving the ups and downs the party faced and nurturing the party to its present respectable status.
“I see future in this party. If we remain united, if we carry issues of the people, I think we will continue to serve the people,” Rio said. Claiming that national political parties with their “high command” can never fully understand the Naga character and problems faced by Nagas, the Chief Minister also said that regional parties have gained popularity in many states as these parties know the problems of the grassroots.
“It is in the interest of Nagas the regional party rules. NPF is regional in character, national in outlook and acts globally,” Rio said. Both Rio and Shurhozelie urged the NPF party leaders and workers to remain dedicated and uphold the policies and visions of the regional party.
The state’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi, also exhorted party workers. NPF Dimapur Division president, Shilu Sangtam, delivered welcome address and NPF vice president (in-charge Dimapur) TL Merry proposed vote of thanks. Among others, Planning and Coordination minister TR Zeliang, newly elected MLA Toshipokba, NPF Manipur unit president Gaigam and other NPF party leaders, attended the programme. `
