State can prosper through peace: Rio

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio Friday said people have realized that the State can prosper only when there was peace and that gun culture was not a solution to the Naga political problem.
Hoisting the tricolour here at Secretariat Plaza on the occasion of 62nd Independence Day celebration, the chief minister also appealed to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga political dialogue to expedite the peace process and bring the negotiations to a logical conclusion.
“Generations of Naga youth have missed out on opportunities, which their counterparts have availed in different parts of the country, due to the unresolved political problem. It is time for all sections to understand this fact, and realize the need to help create a congenial environment for our youth to become citizens of the global village, where we have our own footing and identify, instead of embroiling ourselves in an undesirable situation created largely due to our own difference,” Rio said in his forty-minute address.
Stating that the ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and the two factions of the NSCN “continue to hold good,” in spite of the slow progress of the peace talks and negotiations, the chief minister however regretted that was no cease-fire among the underground groups.
He appealed to all the Naga national workers to shun the path of violence, and to work towards forging a united Naga family that would give strength to the Naga voice.
Maintaining that the highest priority of DAN Government was peaceful resolution of the Naga political problem, he also reiterated DAN’s commitment to continue playing the role of an active facilitator so that an honourable settlement, acceptable to the people was arrived at as early as possible.
Informing that the DAN’s Political Affairs Committee had already taken several initiatives and covered much ground, Rio also thanked the underground groups for their “positive response.”
The chief minister also acknowledged and appreciated the positive roles and contributions made by the Naga Reconciliation Forum, the Church, the Tribal Hohos, the GBs and DBs Forum, the NGOs and civil societies towards the cause of peace.
He further said the Naga family must work towards understanding and oneness and that all sections must leave no stone unturned to end the senseless fratricidal killings that was spreading more hatred and divisions within Naga society.
Various contingents of the police, paramilitary forces and NCC scouts took part in the impressive Independence day marchpast followed by a cultural extravaganza.
Reports of peaceful celebration of the day was received from different district headquarters of the state.