Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday reiterated his government’s commitment to facilitating an early, honourable and acceptable settlement to the decades-old Naga political issue, while stressing the need to strengthen law enforcement and intensify the fight against drug abuse.
Speaking at the 80th Independence Day celebration at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima, Rio said the people of the state continued to look forward to a resolution of the Naga issue at the earliest.
Recalling the consultative meeting convened on September 12, 2024, the chief minister said it brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including tribal hohos, civil society groups, mass-based organisations, churches, NGOs, student bodies, political parties and other representatives.
Rio welcomed the recent formation of a committee headed by the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs to steer the Naga peace talks. He expressed appreciation to the Centre for responding to demands from the people and civil society to raise the ongoing dialogue and peace process to the ministerial level.
He said the Nagaland government would continue to act as an active facilitator in the peace process and work towards fulfilling the people’s long-standing aspiration for an early, honourable and acceptable settlement.
On the issue of eastern Nagaland, Rio reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring balanced, inclusive and equitable development throughout the state.
Recognising the region’s historical developmental challenges, he said the state government had extended its full support to the demand for an arrangement through the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
Rio pointed to the February 5, 2026, memorandum of agreement signed between the Government of India, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation for establishing the FNTA within Nagaland.
Calling the agreement a “historic milestone”, he congratulated the people of eastern Nagaland and assured them of the state government’s continued cooperation in ensuring the early establishment and functioning of the FNTA.
On the security situation, Rio said Nagaland remained largely peaceful, crediting the district administration, police and security forces for their continued efforts.
He, however, strongly condemned the recent IED attack in Chümoukedima district targeting a vehicle carrying Assam Rifles personnel. The blast claimed the life of one personnel and left four others grievously injured.
Describing the incident as cowardly and condemnable, Rio said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had taken over the probe.
The chief minister also highlighted the state’s ongoing campaign against crime and narcotics. According to him, more than 407 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between January 2024 and May 2026, resulting in the arrest of 677 people.
He further said the government was taking steps to improve the mobility and operational preparedness of the Nagaland Police. As part of police modernisation assistance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, 550 new vehicles are being acquired for the state police.