Nephiu Rio plays Naga integration card at Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 21, 2012:
Committed to ensure maximum success of the NPF in the ensuing Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has been making a hectic tour of Naga inhabited hill districts of Manipur campaigning for NPF candidates.
Addressing another election meeting at TNL Ground, Ukhrul today, Neiphiu Rio claimed that the 16-point agreement signed with the Government of India in 1960 clearly mentioned Naga integration.
He reiterated that the Nagaland State Assembly has adopted resolutions for Naga integration four times earlier.
Naga integration is the common aspiration of both Naga underground and overground groups.
Of the Nagas scattered in different places, the southern Nagas living in Manipur have been enduring the severest hardship, he asserted.
The southern Nagas have not received any benefits or protection from the Government of Manipur.
Rather, the Government of Manipur has been subjugating the southern Nagas over the years, the Nagaland Chief Minister alleged.
Claiming that the NPF has been striving to enable the southern Nagas to raise their voice on the floor of Manipur State Assembly by sending their representatives to the Assembly, Neiphiu Rio exhorted the Nagas not to miss this rare opportunity.
Stating that no other people would raise a single voice for the Nagas in Manipur Legislative Assembly, he asserted that only a Naga would speak for the Nagas.
NPF established its branch in Manipur to raise the issues and aspirations of the Nagas on the floor of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Government of Manipur not only objected entry of NPF into Manipur but it also lobbied with the Centre to bar entry of NPF into the State, asserted the Nagaland Chief Minister.
The NPF election campaign meeting was also attended by Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister Kuzholuzo (Azo).