Rio urges Nagas to strive for unification

Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio observed that "unification is Nagas' birth right."

Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio on Friday called upon all Nagas to rededicate and commit themselves to the cause of Naga unification. He asserted that present administrative boundaries could not come in the way of achieving the "long cherished aspiration."

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Observing that "unification is Nagas' birth right," the Chief Minister said, "If the strongest concrete of Berlin wall could be brought down by the will and determination of the people to unite, then the artificial boundaries dividing the Nagas can certainly be removed."

Speaking at a function to celebrate the 'UN decade of world's indigenous people', jointly organised by Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Students Federation (NSF), Rio said the Nagas had already covered much ground in their march towards unification.

Lauding Naga Hoho and other civil society groups for striving for Naga unification and peaceful settlement of Naga conflict, the Chief Minister pointed out Nagaland Assembly had passed resolutions in support of Naga integration.

Rio, who on Thursday met collective leadership of NSCN (I-M) in New Delhi, called upon all sections of Nagas to support the ongoing peace process initiated by the Centre and work for a permanent solution to the vexed Naga issue.