Naga territorial integration issue: Chief Minister Rio clarifies yet again

Criticised by the NSCN-IM for allegedly making irrational and irresponsible statements on Naga territorial integration, the office of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has come up with another clarification on

Criticised by the NSCN-IM for allegedly making irrational and irresponsible statements on Naga territorial integration, the office of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has come up with another clarification on the matter.

In a statement issued yesterday, the CM’s office reiterated its earlier stand that the comment made by Rio was not his personal view but a relay of what was discussed with Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi last month.

Taking strong exception to Rio’s alleged statement that physical integration of Naga areas was not possible, the NSCN-IM made a scathing attack on the Nagaland Chief Minister recently and accused him of “trying to barter the legitimate rights of the Nagas in the open market for personal glory”.

Cornered by the allegation, the Chief Minister’s office tried to play down the issue by stating that the state government recognizes the genuineness of the demand for integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas and so does the Centre.

Underlining that the views expressed by Rio were not his own but simply an account of what was discussed with the Home minister, the CMO statement said that the PDA Government’s policy is to play the role of an active facilitator to the ongoing Naga peace process.

“We will continue to extend our support and cooperation for an early resolution to the decades old imbroglio through a political agreement that is honorable and acceptable to the people,” the release said.

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