Rio Declares Manipur, AP Units of Naga People’s Front at Kohima

By Oken Jeet Sandham

Kohima, Apr 1 : Naga People’s Front (NPF), main ruling regional political party in Nagaland, has today formally declared formation of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh Units with adhoc office bearers appointed.

Announcing this in a Press Conference here at the NPF Central Office on Thursday, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the party after a thorough deliberation on the formation of NPF Units for those Northeast States where Nagas have inhabited, had finally resolved to set up its units particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Asked why the ruling NPF in Nagaland took decision to expand its political activities beyond the State of Nagaland, Rio said their main intention to expand beyond Nagaland State should not be misunderstood as it was only to create harmony with other regional political parties, while taking interest of the Naga political issue.

He further explained that Nagas in these States became minority and what they could do at the most was to fight politically to safeguard their interests. “If anyone who has wrong notion, it has to be corrected,” the Nagaland Chief Minister stated.

He also expressed hope that they would be able to work together with the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) and the NPF President Dr Shurhozelie would be contacting all the regional political parties where the NPF would be having its bases. “We are not against any political parties,” he said. “And as regional political party, we are working to protect the minority Nagas living in these States.”

Asked as to what system the party (NPF) would evolve if their candidates were elected in the ensuing Manipur general election, Rio explained that they would sit and discuss together whether to sit in opposition or joining the government. He, however, stated that the NPF Central Executive Committee was yet to decide for joining the electoral fray in the ensuing Manipur general elections.

Replying to a query as to why the NPF did not form its Assam Unit as large chunk of Nagas too lived there, Rio said they could not do so as the election in Assam came closer.

NPF President Dr Shurhozelie, who was also present during the declaration of the NPF Manipur and AP Units, explained the party position for not fielding their candidates in last AP election. He said when the party went ahead with full preparation to field their candidates in AP election, the Election Commission of India had directed them not field this time as some procedural incompletion for NPF to do so was there.

Along with the declaration of the formation of the NPF Units in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the names of the office bearers to run the affairs of these Units have also been declared.

For Manipur Adhoc Executive Committee (NPF), the names of the office bearers are: Mr G Gaingam, President, Mr Solomon Veino, Working President, Mr Kho John, General Secretary, Mr RT Rebirthson, Secretary, Mr Ningreigam Ruivah, Secretary, Mr K Lianpibou (Temei), Joint Secretary, Mr Somi Keishing, Spokesperson and Mr Samuel Risom, Treasurer.

For Arunachal Pradesh Adhoc Executive Committee (NPF), the names of the office bearers are: Mr Tosham Mossang, President, Mr Tomphoa Ruthun, Vice President, Mr Happa Tataong, General Secretary, Mr P Teakwa, Assistant General Secretary, Mr S Ngemu, Treasurer and Mr Konkhul Chathan, Convener.

The Advisory Committee members are Mr Soso Lorho, ex-Minister, Prof Gangmumei Kamei, ex-Minister and Prof Dr M Horam, ex-Minister.

Source: Asian Tribune