Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Mar 2 : Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu asserted that the vision of Naga People’s Front (NPF) is Naga integration during the district level election campaign of NPF held at TNL ground today at Wino bazar, Ukhrul today.
Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu along with his council of Ministers (Minister of Road and bridges Vikheho, Education & SCERT Minister Yitachu and NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon, prominent NPF leaders including NSF team and Naga for Change Delhi ) arrived here today to address an election rally for three NPF candidates K Leishiyo (Phungyar), Samuel Risom (Ukhrul) and Khashim Vashum (Chingai) of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
The Nagaland Chief Minister while spelling out the vision of the NPF said integration of all Nagas scattered all over the region, so that they can live as one family, is on top of the agenda of the party.
He asserted that Nagas have every right to claim for integration and added that this is not against any democratic principles. The NPF leader further stated that integrating Naga inhabited areas should not hurt the sentiments of other communities. However this has to be achieved through democratic processes and it may take time, he said and assured that Nagas will be integrated one day.
Beside Naga integration, the other main objective of the NPF is to create a common political platform for tribals having similar goals, issues and problems to raise their voice unitedly, he added.
This is the reason why NPF entered Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, he said and added that the party plans to expand to other tribal areas of the country. However the NPF needs to be consolidated first, said the Nagaland Chief Minister.
NPF will bring peace in the State and at the same time play the role of peace maker, said the Nagaland Chief Minister and added it will try and bridge the divide between the hills and the valley so that all can live by respecting the rights of every community. Branding the State Government as communal, he said that NPF is against all communal agenda.
NPF spokesperson Achembemo Kikon said that the Nagas have reached a very crucial stage and now is the right time to prove unity for the common aspirations of the Nagas. Kikon also blasted the State Government for passing the three infamous ‘anti-tribal Bills’ in the Assembly in 2015.
Taking jibes at the BJP, Kikon said the agenda and policy of the BJP is to sideline the minority communities-the Christians and Muslims.
NPF Manipur i/c Yitachu who is also the Education and SCERT Minister of Nagaland said that he was impressed on seeing the large number of NPF party supporters and recalled how the people of Nagaland booted out the Congress in the 2003 Assembly election.
He also acknowledged the sacrifice of 4 NPF MLAs of the State who resigned from their seats in protest against the three ‘anti-tribal Bills’ in 2015.
The agenda of the Ibobi led Congress Govt is to alienate and segregate hills and minority communities, he alleged.
NPF would safeguard land, traditions, culture, custom etc of all communities to ensure peace and harmony. Road and Bridges Minister of Nagaland V Swu dwelt on the Naga political movement and stressed that the Nagaland Government is relentlessly working for an early solution to the Indo-Naga issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands the Naga political issue and is committed to resolve the same through political dialogue and hence the Framework Agreement was signed, he added. Following the FA pact, serious and intense discussion is on continuously and at the same time Nagaland Govt has also invited all the Naga insurgent groups to join the talk. Seeing progress of the peace process, the Ibobi led Congress Government is attempting to destabilise and hinder the peace process, charged Swu.
After the poll results in Manipur are declared, a new political dimension will emerge for the tribals of Manipur. The NPF is the only political platform for the tribals to raise their voice, he added. NPF has issued tickets irrespective of communities whether the candidate is a Kuki or Naga.
TNL president Weapon Zimik invoked a Tangkhul ceremonial blessing for the 3 NPF candidates K Leishiyo, Samuel Risom and Khashim Vashum.
Source: The Sangai Express
