Rio stresses on lifting AFSPA from Nagaland

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has once again stressed his government’s demand to the Centre for withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State. The Union

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has once again stressed his government’s demand to the Centre for withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State.

The Union Government on its part wants the Act to stay in Nagaland until the Naga peace accord is clinched.

After meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi Rio said AFSPA must be lifted from Nagaland.

He said his government has called for a meeting with the Tribal Hohos or Councils in the State on May 11 for a general consultation on the impending solution to the Naga problem.

The Chief Minister will have a meeting with NEDA Convenor Himanta Biswa Sharma on Friday in New Delhi on the May 28 by-election to the lone Nagaland Lok Sabha seat that had fallen vacant with the resignation of Rio after he took over as the chief minister.

It is as yet unclear whether the seat would be contested by Rio’s NDPP or its political ally, the BJP.

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