Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio (file photo)

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on January 26 said that negotiations between the Naga political groups and the Government of India have been going on in a cordial atmosphere to find a solution to the Naga political issue.

In his Republic Day speech, CM Neiphiu Rio said that all the members of the Nagaland legislative assembly have come together and formed an opposition-less government in the state to convey to the “negotiating parties to give an honourable, inclusive and acceptable solution”.

Neiphiu Rio said this while delivering the Republic Day speech at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima on January 26.

Earlier in his speech, the Nagaland chief minister asked the people to remember the “sacrifices made by the countrymen who gave their everything for the freedom of the nation”.

He said that India as an independent republic has made “giant strides in every domain and Nagaland, which is nearing six decades as a state, has also been capably marching shoulder to shoulder with all the other states of the Union and contributing in strengthening the nation in every manner”.

Extending his solidarity to the family members of the Oting-Tiru village area and Mon town incident victims, the chief minister said that the special investigation team (SIT) of the Nagaland Police is making good progress in its investigation and the army has also constituted a court of inquiry.

Rio stated that the state cabinet decided to take up for immediate repeal of the AFSPA with the Government of India and the Nagaland legislative assembly in its special session passed a resolution on December 20, 2021 for repeal of AFSPA from Nagaland.

The chief minister said that to ensure good governance in an effective manner, the state government created three new districts: Tseminyu, Niuland and Chumoukedima on December 20, 2021, and Shamator district on January 20, 2022.

Neiphiu Rio further said that Tseminyu district fulfils the desire and aspirations of the Rengma people to have a district of their own and Shamator district creation is the culmination of sincere efforts made by the Yimkhiung and Tikhir people by resolving their decades old disputes amicably, and recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga tribe.

Neiphiu Rio added that the creation of Niuland and Chumoukedima districts was the need of the times and, besides giving the right historical perspective, it resolves the matter with regard to the headquarters of the erstwhile Dimapur district.

The chief minister added that there are other demands for creation of new districts, but the state government would not like to divide single tribe districts in keeping with the government’s motto of unity.

On the COVID-19 pandemic, Rio said that with the cooperation and support of various sections of the society, the state was able to take quick and timely actions during the second wave the previous year. As the state is facing the third wave of the pandemic, the chief minister stated that health & family welfare department has been ramping up its infrastructure over the last year.

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