CM Rio calls for meaningful Peace Talks

Chumoukedima, February 24 (MTNews): Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, expressed confidence on Friday that the ongoing Naga peace talks will reach a “meaningful convergence” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rio said at a joint election rally for the two parties’ candidates in Chumoukedima in the presence of the prime minister that resolving the decades-old Naga political issue is the top priority of the state’s NDPP-BJP government.

Rio also expressed its full support for a resolution to the Naga peace talks to both the Centre and Naga political groups.

He praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for recognizing the Nagas’ uniqueness and said that it is under Modi that they have seen a greater understanding between them and the rest of the country, bringing them closer to a successful political dialogue.

Nagaland has seen the signing of the Framework Agreement, Agreed Position, and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from selected areas of the state under the Modi government, he said.

“We are hopeful that the political dialogue between the Centre and the Naga political groups will reach a meaningful convergence in the near future. We are all hoping for an honourable, inclusive, and acceptable outcome…. We look forward to your guidance and leadership in realizing these shared goals,” the chief minister said.

In this context, Rio also requested Modi to consider positively the various developmental projects to be implemented in the state for youths.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Nagaland BJP leader Yanthungo Patton praised Modi for being the country’s only prime minister to visit the north east 57 times in nine years.

“Despite being from neighboring Assam, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not visit Nagaland even once in ten years,” he said.

“NDPP-BJP will secure more than 40 seats and will not need any other political parties to form the next government in Nagaland,” he said, adding it will provide good governance and stable government under the leadership of Rio for peace and development of the state.