Hope For The Early Resolution Of Naga Problem Post-elections: Nagaland CM Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that there was a 바카라�hope바카라� for an early resolution of the Naga political problem following the unconditional commitment of the NSCN-IM and Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to collaborate on the matter.

The concerns of the Eastern Nagaland People바카라�s Organisation (ENPO), which has been demanding a separate state, will also be addressed after the assembly elections are over, the chief minister said. 

바카라�We have been working on it for all these years. The Framework Agreement was signed in 2015 and then, in 2017 Agreed Position was signed,바카라� Rio told PTI about the progress in resolving the deadlock over the Naga peace talks.

To find a solution to the decades-old problem, the Central government has been holding separate negotiations with NSCN-IM since 1997 and the Working Committee of NNPG, comprising at least seven groups, since 2017. The Modi government inked a Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015 and Agreed Position with NNPGs in 2017. 

However, the final solution is yet to be attained with NSCN-IM remaining adamant on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas. Rio pointed out that the different groups 바카라�were not being able to come together바카라�, which was holding back the progress.

But with the January 14 agreement, based on historical rights and to uphold and protect the identity of the Nagas, there is hope for a solution to come, the CM added. The NSCN-IM and the NNPGs had on January 14 this year declared their unconditional commitment to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga political issue with the Government of India.

The declaration came after four months of signing the September Joint Accordant between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the NNPGs which have been engaged in separate dialogue with the Centre for a solution to the Naga Political Issue (NPI). The NDPP leader, who is fighting the state polls in alliance with BJP to retain power, said the issues of the eastern districts of the state will also be addressed post-elections.

Refusing to 바카라�predict or comment바카라� on the possibility of bifurcation of the state in keeping with the original demand of the ENPO, Rio said, 바카라�They definitely deserve support from the state government for addressing deficiencies in developmental activities, literacy rates, economic backwardness. 바카라�We will give them full support to bringing them at par with the rest of the state in terms of equal development,바카라� the veteran Naga leader said. 

He also mentioned the Union Home Minister Amit Shah holding discussions with the ENPO leadership and said, 바카라�Amit Shah ji had spoken to them, explained the situation and also given them the options of what is possible. 바카라�With that, they were convinced and they also called off the election boycott and a peaceful election will be conducted,바카라� he said, referring to the ENPO바카라�s initial call for boycotting the polls.

The ENPO has been demanding separate statehood for 바카라�Frontier Nagaland바카라�, comprising six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamatore and Noklak, which sends 20 MLAs to the state Assembly. Rio also sounded optimistic about retaining power with a 바카라�thumping majority바카라� and forming the government again.

On his NDPP being made the 바카라�major partner바카라� in terms of seat sharing, he said it was done by the BJP high command out of respect for the Nagas. The NDPP is contesting in 40 seats, while the BJP has fielded candidates in 20 seats. 바카라�It is an arrangement by the BJP high command out of respect for Nagas and for being a Christian-dominated state. We are grateful to them for it,바카라� Rio added.

Rio was here to address an election rally for NDPP candidate Sharingain Longkumer from Aonglenden constituency in Mokokchung district. Election for the 60-member state Assembly will be held on February 27 and the counting of votes will be taken up on March 2.