‘If Naga-ism fails, all of us will fail,’ says CM Rio

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 25

Nagaland Chief Minister and Naga People’s Front (NPF) President Dr Neiphiu Rio today stated that the NPF party represents custodians of Naga identity.

Addressing the NPF party ticket distribution ceremony for Town Council bye- election in Kohima, Dr Rio said that NPF as  a regional party has been making a lot of sacrifices, working for the protection of “our history, our identity, our culture, our customary law and our unique Naga.”

Also describing the NPF as  a Naga party, he said that it was formed to fight for the right of the Nagas and for the identity of the Nagas. In this, he called upon the party workers to be well-versed about the party ideology, guidelines and constitution of the party.

Stressing on the need to work for what he termed as ‘Naga-ism,’ the CM said “We must first work for the Nagas. If Naga-ism survives, everybody will survive.” “But if you work only for yourself, you think you will survive?” he questioned. “If Nagaism fails, all of us will fail,” he stated.

Dr Rio said that the Naga people wherever they are, should have emotional, social and cultural integration if physical integration is not possible at the moment.

He meanwhile said that the merger of the NDPP with the NPF, which was officially accepted by the ECI on May 4, has been a “long-awaited wish of everybody.” Stating that not a single complaint came from any person, he thanked all the former NDPP members, and the NPF for welcoming him as well as NDPP members. “This will be a part of history, and I think we must make this period a golden period,” he said and called upon party men and women to be a proud members of the NPF party.

Lauding the NPF functionaries for holding district tours, he asked them to propagate the schemes and policies of the government so that the people from the grassroot get maximum benefit. Further, the CM stressed on the need to intensify training and skilling of the youth in various fields.