NPF doors open to all who believe in unity, peace: Rio

Our CorrespondentKohima | July 11Nagaland Chief Minister and Naga People's Front (NPF) president Dr Neiphiu Rio on July 11 said the party's doors were open to all those who believed in unity, peace and the greater good of the Naga people, while making a special appeal to Nagas in Manipur to join the regional party ahead of the state's Assembly elections.Addressing a programme marking the merger of the Rising People's Party (RPP) with the NPF in Kohima, Rio said, "The NPF belongs to you too. This is your platform. Come forward. Participate. Strengthen the movement for Naga unity and oneness."Calling for the creation of a common political platform that sincerely articulated the aspirations of the people, Rio said politics should not be about differences alone but also about building bridges, promoting reconciliation and creating hope for future generations.Referring to Nagaland's opposition-less government, Rio said all elected members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had agreed to work together in a spirit of unity and oneness for the larger cause of resolving the Naga political issue."This is not merely a political arrangement. It carries a deeper message. It is a message that, on the most important issue concerning the future and destiny of the Naga people, we must stand together," he said.Rio reiterated that the Naga political issue remained at the top of the agenda of both the NPF and the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government and urged all sections of Naga society to unite."Our message of unity must be sent out loud and clear to every section of our society, to every Naga community, to all negotiating parties, to the Government of India and to the world," he said.Observing that Nagas had historically remained divided by opinions, organisations and geographical boundaries, Rio said artificial administrative divisions had placed members of the...