Naga Hoho, Neiphiu, Zeliang echo solution before polls call
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, January 13 2018: The Naga Hoho reiterated its demand that the Government of India should resolve the Naga political issue and defer the Nagaland assembly elections.

"The Government of India should understand that we are extending helping hands for solving the decades old Indo-Naga political problem and not asking for favour from the Government of India," the Naga Hoho said today in a press communique.

According to the Naga Hoho, it has been repeatedly seeking the attention of the Government of India to sincerely consider the general wishes of the Naga people with ardent request to initiate a meaningful dialogue with all the stake holders for lasting solution of Indo-Naga political problem at the earliest and defer the scheduled election in the State.

"It may be mentioned here that, the Naga Hoho had requested the Prime Minister of India, the President of India, the Interlocutor and the Election Commission of India to bring early solution instead of holding elections," the Naga Hoho added.

It then stated that, the various statements from "Naga civil societies and tribe hohos and the wishes" of the Naga people for political solution and not elections should not be ignored by the Government of India.

"As the voice of the people is supreme in a democratic set up, and therefore, the Naga Hoho appeals to the Naga people from different walks of life to gear up and defend the inherent rights of the Naga people and not to allow holding of election in our land," the Naga Hoho added.

Neiphiu Rio meets Rajnath Singh .

MP Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio along with Dr Chuba Ao, former Nagaland unit BJP president met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav on Friday evening in New Delhi to impress upon them the desire of the Naga people for solution before the upcoming elections, according to a press note from the office of Neiphiu Rio.

The press release said that, Neiphiu Rio explained at length the sequence of events of the Naga issue leading to its present crucial stage.

He was of the opinion that it was the appropriate time for resolving the decades old Naga political issue, as majority of the stake holders are a part of the peace talks, the press note said.

The meeting also appreciated the genuine concern and efforts of the Government of India towards finding an honourable settlement to the Naga political problem, "whilst respecting the Constitution of the country and its electoral obligations," the press release added.

Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang on Wednesday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed the latter on the popular demand for "Solution before Election" and postponement of the ensuing Assembly election in Nagaland.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, in the meeting, the chief minister apprised the Home Minister that at present, various civil society organisations and church leaders in Nagaland have expressed desire for "Solution before Election".

"The Chief Minister also pointed out that the Government of India was engaged with different Naga political groups - NSCN (I-M) and Working Committee of six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) for early solution and that it was the desire of the Naga people to arrive at a solution before the ensuing election," the Chief Minister's Office said.

The Union Home Minister after a patient hearing reiterated that the Government of India is serious on solving the Naga political issue, it stated.

The Union Home Minister then assured Zeliang that he would convene a meeting on the demand of the Naga people and convey the outcome of the meeting to Nagaland Government, the Chief Minister's Office claimed.

In support of the demand, the Chief Minister submitted the resolution adopted by Nagaland Legislators Forum and parliamentarians and ex-parliamentarians on December 7, 2017 along with a copy of Nagaland Legislative Assembly resolution, the Chief Minister added.

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