Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio giving his concluding remarks during the assemble session on February 10, 2020. Image: DIPR, Nagaland

Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio on Monday said early resolution of the Naga political issue has been the top most priority of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government.

In his concluding remarks in the discussion on the Motion of thanks on Governor’s address in the Assembly, Rio said ‘it is clear that negotiations have concluded on a positive note’.

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“Negotiations had been going on for the last 22 years and the talks had to be concluded so that an Agreement can come about,” he said.

“No pact can be signed unless the points of contention are hammered out between the parties involved,” he added.

“It is the logical and rational way to hold talks and we have expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government of India and the negotiating Naga groups,” he also said.

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Rio said, now here has it been mentioned that the peace process has concluded.

“Only the talks have concluded on a positive note which signifies that the negotiating parties have arrived at meeting points on the various topics of the negotiations,” he clarified.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition, T R Zeliang, while acknowledging that negotiations between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups are at the verge of conclusion, had stated that ‘to declare that the same has been successfully concluded is misleading’.

He further said time has come for chairman of Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) to take the lead as real facilitator with inclusive delegation comprising of all the tribes and political parties.