Kohima, November 25: The Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the two most �contentious and difficult issues� facing the peace talks and the peace process were perhaps the issues of the �integration of Naga homeland and of Naga sovereignty�.

Delivering his key note address on the �Nagaland Legislators� Consultative Meeting for Peace� held here at Zonal council Hall on Friday, the Chief Minister however pointed out that on the issue of integration, a broad consensus had already emerged as far as Nagas of Nagaland were concerned.

�The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had already passed four resolutions demanding integration of the contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella,� he said.

�The Nagas of Manipur State, under the aegis of the United Naga Council, had demonstrated in unambiguous manner their desire for such integration, while the Nagas from other contiguous areas are beginning to wake up to this call�.

Regarding the issue of sovereignty, Rio would like all of them to understand the �nuances and subtle changes taking place in the concept of sovereignty itself, consequent upon the process of globalization�.

He said political sovereignty, in its old form as conceived by political scientists, was gradually losing its relevance, giving way to the new and more practical concept of �economic sovereignty or economic self reliance�.

�We are already seeing the emergence of regional groupings or blocks, formed by independent nations, with view to achieve the larger common goals of economic prosperity, by voluntarily surrendering a slice of their political sovereignty,� he said, adding, �The European Union, SARC and ASEAN are some such examples�.

The Chief Minister further opined on these two contentious issues of integration and sovereignty that both the parties to the peace talk needed to show �more flexibility and accommodation than they have so far displayed�.

He also suggested that the issues of �integration and sovereignty can be thought of, and talked as step by step process, if tackling them in one process is proving too difficult and elusive.� �Let us recall and remember how the present Nagaland State also came into being through a step by step process of integration of areas which were previously part of NEFA,� he stated.

Otherwise, if they allowed the peace process to linger on for too long without any progress, the parties to the peace talk, as well as the general public may lose their patience, leading to the breakdown of the �delicate peace process we are trying so hard to protect and build on�.

The Chief Minister also expressed his happiness for all the legislators of the State coming together to open up their innermost thoughts on the pertinent �peace process and our political issues.� Because, he explained, about the difficulties to have free and frank discussion on the sensitive Naga political issue inside the House due to certain formalities and rigidities in the conduct of the proceedings inside the House.

Speaking on the occasion, the Leader of the Opposition I Imkong expressed serious concern on the prevailing pathetic condition in the interior areas of Noklak, Samator and Longkhim-Chare areas due to blockades by the underground factions.

He said people were suffering in the Noklak areas due to over a-month blockade, while the other side in Longkhim-Chare areas, another group started blockading.

�I am told the suppliers from Jorhat are also refused to provide,� he said.

Drawing the attention of the DAN Government, Imkong said they were fully behind them (Government) if they try to devise ways to immediately address the prevailing dismal conditions prevailing in the said different areas following blockades by underground factions.

The Leader of the Opposition also informed the meeting about the violations of the cease fire ground rules by the NSCN factions.

He further asserted that if the legislators could intervene and help defuse the factional fights, it would help improve the law and order situation to a large extent in the State, besides saving innocent publics who were often caught in cross fires.

Asking the Chief Minister to enlighten about his recent meeting with the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the ongoing peace process, Imkong said share of such importance in the meeting would give an insight to all the legislators about the process.

The Leader of opposition also expressed the passing of resolutions by the Nagaland Assembly in the past with regard to the integration of contiguous Naga areas.

�Therefore we have done our part,� he pointed out.

The DAN Chairman Dr Hokishe Sema said as elected members, they all had to play political role for �peace and political settlement�.

The grand old man further stated that since they, being official representatives of the people, should attempt to bring all Naga organizations to broadly acceptable platform to unitedly raise their voice to the Government of India.

�Only then can we come to a tangible and successful solution,� he pointed out.

The State Planning Minister and NPF President Dr Shurhozelie also spoke on the occasion.

He said the peace was the common theme not only for the legislators but for all peace loving people in Nagaland.

Stating that they all legislators had moral obligation to ensure peace in whatever they �do, say or write,� the NPF Chief averred that the �attitude of the honorable members is important�.

The Minister also said unless they have the �unity of purpose� among the legislators belonging to different political entities, their �disunity always (will) play the negative role in the background.� �Unless we are very clear on this point, we are not representing the aspiration of our people in its true sense of term,� he elucidated.

Calling upon the Naga underground brethren to stop the fratricides, Dr Shurhozelie asserted chasing and killing one another could not bring �sovereignty.� �When they could enter into cease fire with the government of India, why can�t they have ceasefire with one another?,� he asked.

State BJP President and Parliamentary secretary MC Konyak and Deo Nukhu of JD (U) also spoke on the occasion, while Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Kiyaneilie Peseyie delivered welcome address.

Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs from ruling and opposition parties also attended the first ever �Legislators� Consultative Meeting for Peace� held under the aegis of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat.

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