Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said that a united people will achieve their dreams and their rights shall be secure, however, a divided people will experience suppression, including suppression of their rights, for which unity is imperative.
Speaking during a programme for a new complex at Tenyimi market in Dimapur, organised by the Tenyimi Union of Dimapur (TUD) Rio said “When we are united, our dreams can come true. Our rights can be achieved. But if we are divided, we are not united. Our wishes will be just a dream; our rights will be suppressed and therefore, unity is a must.”
Encouraging the Tenyimi union, Rio asserted that it is not the end, but the beginning of unity.
Speaking about the prolonged political negotiations of the Naga groups with India, Rio said that the ‘Naga areas are genuine demands’ which even the Government of India recognises. Iterating the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s objective to fight for Naga integration, Rio assured: “We will be an active facilitator” for a settlement which includes “honourable, acceptable and inclusive.”
However, Rio voiced his concerns by stating that ‘in paper, we show our unity but in reality we are not cohesive and still lack the strength of unity.’
The chief minister also spoke about hygiene and cleanliness in Nagaland.
“We can easily maintain cleanliness,” he said, and appealed to citizens to contribute in making the state free from plastic, by November.
Raising concerns at the excessive use of plastic in the state, Rio said “We have to give a substitute to the use of plastic.”
Rio also informed the gathering that the state government is deliberating on the issue and has a few suggestions to solve the problem. (UNI)
