Kohima, September 02 2009: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today emphasized on the need for Naga people to join hands in solving the vexed Naga political issue thereby bring permanent peace and reconciliation.

Inaugurating a two-day Kiphire Road Show, coinciding with the Mongmong Festival of the Sangtam Naga tribe, Rio said, "We all need to join hands to solve the vexed Naga political issue to bring permanent peace and reconciliation".

Pointing that during the ceasefire factional killing among the Naga groups continue while the number of persons killed in the clashes is about 1040, he called on the people to work for peace and to stop the factional killings.

The top priority of the present government is to bring the final settlement for which the whole council of ministers have declared that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is willing to make way if required for final settlement of Naga issue, Rio reiterated.

He also said that the Government is only a facilitator and called upon the people to prevail for peace and unity for all round development in the state.

He said that different Nagas tribes have different festivals, which we need to preserve even though we are all Christians now, adding that Mongmong festival, which signifies friendship and merrymaking has a great meaning to lead our younger generation.

MLA & Chairman, NSMDC, Kipili Sangtam, while delivering Mongmong Festival greetings, praised that the government under the dynamic leadership of Neiphiu Rio for undertaking various activities in this district.

He said that the present government has come up with various innovative ideas to develop all the eleven districts in the state.

Parliamentary Secretary CAWD, T.Torechu while exhorting the people said that we should go forward with peace and love to bring developmental activities.

President USLB, R.Tsapikiu in his welcome address urged to the Chief Minister to understand their problems and requirements particularly in the road sector.

Head gaonburas (GB) of Kiphire town, Yangkimong who delivered the significance of Mongmong festival said that with the advent of Christianity, the ancestral beliefs are no longer practiced and as time passes all traditions are being forgotten and are slowly fading away.

It is only during such festivals that traditional beliefs and customs are rekindled in present generation through folklores, he said.

Principal Secretary & Commissioner, Nagaland, H.K.Khulu touching upon the state Road Show in his speech said that it is not only for the state but for the rest of the world, to show what developmental activities we are doing with transparency and accountability.

He said that 22 departments and SHGs with a total of 55 stalls are participating in the festival.

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