Nagaland chief minister and NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday while admitting that the demand for integration of entire Naga-inhabited areas in the region could be difficult at present, however, said that coming together under the umbrella of the NPF could be the first step to integrate the people emotionally and politically.
CMO media cell in a press note said, Dr. Liezietsu, addressing over two hundred party workers from Arunachal Pradesh at a consultative meeting at NPF Central Hq, Kohima, maintained that NPF party should be introduced not only to all the Naga inhabited areas but to all tribal areas in the region.
Dr. Liezietsu said after NPF party was introduced in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagas living in the two states could now feel a sense of belongingness as one Naga family.
Advising the party leaders to work hard, the chief minister said NPF must participate in the next Arunachal Pradesh government so as to address the developmental issues faced by the Naga people in the State.
He also urged Arunachal party leaders to be the torch bearers and spread the good news of the NPF party that “only through NPF the voice of the Naga people can be heard in the government.” Dr. Liezietsu reiterated that Naga People’s Front (NPF) was “the natural ally of the BJP” and that it was the only political party which represents Nagas and could preserve their identity.
Recalling the association of the party, which has been oldest in the North Eastern region with the BJP, Dr. Liezietsu said NPF has been aligned with the non-Congress national party as early as 1977.
Citing the example of Manipur, he said NPF has sent four MLAs in the government and was now recognized in the Manipur Assembly. Therefore, Dr. Liezietsu called upon the Nagas of Arunachal to send their representative in the next formation of Arunachal government.
He also reminded the gathering that in the event of the NPF party succeeding to gain entry in three Assemblies, the party would be recognised as a national party.
DAN chairman and advisor Finance, T.R. Zeliang, addressing the gathering said that the NPF party was the only platform which can speak and address the needs and aspirations of the Naga people.
He said other Naga regional parties like the recently launched Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was formed to confuse the Naga people. “It is only the NPF that recognized the whole of Naga-inhabited areas and work for the people,” Zeliang said.
Expressing happiness that the meeting could be conducted in Nagamese, Zeliang stressed on the need to learn Nagamese language by fellow Nagas living outside Nagaland, saying this way it would be a step towards integrating Naga people.
He also urged upon the party leaders not to be afraid to reveal their identity as Nagas but to work tirelessly for the uplift of the party. “One day you will harvest the fruits, as the NPF is the party that will work for the Naga people,” Zeliang stated.
Also speaking at the meeting, Education minister, Yitachu said reminded that NPF was formed for the uplift of regional aspirations of the Naga people, cutting across the present state boundary.
He said “NPF is the heritage party for the Nagas and one of the priorities of the party is to work for the whole Naga inhabited areas.”
Rural Development minister, CL John in his short speech called upon Arunachal party leaders to have the ownership spirit of the party and to elect its representative in the next formation of government in Arunachal Pradesh.
Advisor DUDA and ministerial in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh, N Thongwang who also spoke on the occasion said that though the Naga people live in separate states, NPF party was the only platform that can keep alive the identity of the Nagas.
During the occasion, various leaders from the Arunachal Pradesh NPF state unit stated that they joined the party to work for the betterment and uplift of the Nagas living in Arunachal Pradesh.
While assuring to work for the success of the party in their state, the leaders also asked the party functionaries from Nagaland to help and support in the coming days.
The programme was chaired by NPF working president and advisor to CM, Apong Pongener while the invocation prayer delivered Tsumongo Ovung, NPF vice president.