GUWAHATI, Dec 10 ? Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted the Nagas living in the North East have consensus among themselves on the question of their integration and it was upto the neighbouring states to reach at a settlement reports PTI. ?As far as Nagas are concerned they are at a consensus for unification of Naga inhabited territories but if the neighbouring states have problems that had to be settled?, Rio told reporters after inaugurating the North East People?s Forum (NEPF) headquarter office here.
Asked to comment on the reported obstacle in yesterday?s peace talks between the NSCN (IM) and centre at Bangkok on the contentious issue, Rio said if there was opposition in other quarters there should be a consensus but the Nagas are for unification. Voicing concern at the reported deadlock in the Bangkok talks, the cheif minister said if there was a problem it should be discussed and a solution reached.
?Obviously in a democratic setup and during negotiation one has to adopt a give and take attitude?, Rio said, adding, he was optimistic that a solution would be reached at. The talks reported reached a deadlock after the NSCN (IM) objected at the reported remarks of prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Kohima that there was lack of consensus in the Naga integration.
Rio, who is also the Chairman of the NFPF, a common platform of the NCP, NPC, MNF, BJP and regional parties of the region, said the forum would take up this matter (of Naga unification) later in its meeting. He said the Naga issues was a political one and existed since the time of pre-independence which the Prime Minister himself during his visit to the State admitted.
?Now it is time for peace and reconciliation and I am optimistic of a solution to the Naga, issues,? the Chief Minister said. The NEPF Chairman claimed that the front was growing in popularity and the victory of MNF in the Mizoram election showed that the people developed liking for the platform.
Terming as unfortunate the recent incidents of violence in Bihar and subsequently in Assam, Rio criticised RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav for allegedly doing nothing to stem the violence and only blaming Centre for sending few security forces to the State. He claimed in Nagaland, people applied restraint and their was no violence as the government as well the Naga Hoho and church leaders appealed for peace. Replying to a question as to why the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the largest regional party of the State was keeping out of the forum, Rio said the doors are still open.