Rio’s office clarifies on ‘integration’ report, NPF says BJP ‘remote controlling’ the CM

June 15, 2018 223 Views No Comment

Naga Republic News

Reacting to the news report that appeared in certain sections of the national and local media on June 12 & 13 quoting Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as saying that integration of Naga inhabited areas is not possible, the Chief Minister’s Office, Nagaland has clarified that the CM has relayed to the media what was discussed in a meeting of State delegation with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on June 12 last and hence should not be taken otherwise.

“The Chief Minister only relayed to the media what had been discussed in the meeting. Hence, it cannot and should not be taken as an admission by the Chief Minister or the State Government in any manner whatsoever since the State Government is not a direct party to the talks nor privy to the ongoing negotiations between the GoI and the Naga Political Groups,” said a rejoinder issued by the media cell, CMO Nagaland.

The rejoinder said a delegation of elected members and officials of Nagaland State Government led by the Chief Minister called on Rajnath Singh on June 12, wherein a wide number of issues pertaining to the State were discussed. Among the discussions, the ongoing Naga political issue and the peace process were also discussed.

It was conveyed to the delegation that since integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas would involve the neighbouring States where Nagas are settled, such integration would not be possible unless it is mutually agreed to by the neighbouring States in question. This was the point of discussion between the Union Home Minister and the delegation, the CMO said, adding the CM only relayed to the media what had been discussed in the meeting.

Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) meanwhile reiterated the party stand on ‘integration of all Naga contiguous areas’ and rejected Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s statement declaring ‘integration is not possible’. The party demanded an explanation from Rio on how integration is not possible.

Addressing a press conference at NPF central headquarters Thursday evening, MLA Imkong L Imchen and NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon said “NPF is flabbergasted and outrightly rejects the controversial and contradictory statement of Chief Minister Rio”.

They alleged that Rio opposing Naga integration is nothing but “his master’s (BJP’s) voice” to cling on to power.

The two NPF leaders alleged that Rio is being remote controlled by the saffron party, adding that the Chief Minister has become a puppet of the BJP which is practically running the Government in the State.

They wondered how Rio had taken a u-turn on Naga integration after joining the bandwagon of BJP, when he was all out for integration of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative unit when with the NPF.

The NPF spokesperson also expressed shock that the Chief Minister has openly declared that he supports the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. Kikon lamented that Rio in his statement has stated that Nagas are having enough protection and safeguard under Article 371 (A) and therefore, “his PDA Government will not oppose the Bill”.