Imphal, Feb 16: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphu Rio on Wednesday said the Nagas were antagonized during the Okram Ibobi singh-led Congress regime in Manipur, and that law and prder was dismal in Naga areas.
Addressing an election rally at Senapati in Manipur on Wednesday for the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Rio said this election means a lot to the Nagas, calling it the ‘election of Naga unity’ as the Nagas are awaiting final solution to the long drawn Naga-peace talks. The Nagaland CM said once the Naga peace talks are finalized, privilege and protection will be extended to all the Nagas in India, even as he mentioned that Nagas are not only in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal and Assam.
Attended campaign kick-off for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election 2022 of the Naga People’s Front, an ally of the United Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland. My best wishes to the candidates and I wish them success. pic.twitter.com/9vSfa5lLPU
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 16, 2022
At the same time, he also demanded that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) be repealed from the North-eastern region barring international border areas and state border areas where there are problems.
There is demand for removal of AFSPA in Nagaland and poll bound Manipur. In Manipur, government of India has extended the “disturbed area” status of the state for a period of one year with retrospective effect from December 1, 2021. However, Imphal Municipal Area has been exempted from its purview.
The NPF, which is part of the BJP-led government in Manipur, is contesting in 10 seats. However, the party is contesting the polls on its own. Rio represents the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which is an offshoot of the NPF based in Nagaland.
“We have come to show our solidarity with NPF candidates. This election means a lot to the regional parties. I believe that we can be good neighbours with Manipur. It is a process of nation building. This is the election of Naga unity,” Rio said at the rally.
He added, “Today the Naga society is divided, we have so many groups, society, so many cadres, illegal taxation, extortion and this cannot be sustained. We need to make a loud and clear voice that we want peace and settlement. The Naga peace talks are on for 25 years, it’s complex, some competencies have been accepted, this process has to be resolved.”
He further claimed that “during Okram Ibobi Singh regime, he was antagonistic to Nagas; law and order was dismal in Naga areas. The general Naga public wants peace, settlements and opportunity. We need to get a settlement done now, collectively.”
He said, “When settlement will come, it will need to create opportunities. Recognition of our unique history is important. Naga are not only in Nagaland, Nagas are in Manipur, Arunachal and Assam, the privilege and protection that will come should be extended to all the Nagas in India wherever they are. We have a big group of Nagas in Myanmar, though we cannot cross the international borders even there Nagas are recognized and they run Naga Autonomous government through elections.”
Following the December 4, 2021, Oting incident in Nagaland where 14 civilians and one security personnel died in a firing incident in Nagaland’s Mon district, there have been protests and demands from different quarters to withdraw AFSPA.
Rio stated, “The state government has been pressing upon Centre to repeal AFSPA, cabinet took decision and assembly passed resolution for repeal of AFSPA. We want AFSPA to be removed barring international border area and state border areas where there are problems. Mandate to NPF, will be a mandate toward evolution of the Naga issue.”
He added that the valley has 40 seats and hills have 20 seats and tribal areas are very difficult and constituencies are vast. “We should focus on getting more Nagas elected to Assembly, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and get our voice heard,” he said.
