Govt firm on holding Nagaland polls, says Kiren Rijiju

Guwahati: Union minister of state Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that government of India appreciate the sentiment of tribal bodies for an early solution to the Naga problem, but postponing or deferring the Assembly elections was not possible.

Mr Rijiju also announced that BJP has entered into an electoral alliance with newly-floated National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by Neiphiu Rio.

Asking the armed rebels groups to give up the idea of disrupting the elections, Mr Rijiju, who is also the in-charge of Nagaland BJP, said that his government was prepared to hold the elections in the state. “We have made all necessary arrangement to hold the elections in a peaceful manner,” said Mr Rijiju warning that no one should indulge in or try to disrupt the elections process.

Indicating that the Government of India was firm on holding the elections, Mr Rijiju said, “We have conveyed to all armed rebel groups to refrain from indulging in any activities disrupting the ongoing elections. The ground rules should be followed strictly.”

Ignoring the boycott call of military wing of NSCN (I-M), Mr Rijiju said that security forces have been asked to ensure that ground rules of the ceasefire agreement is strictly followed by all the armed groups in Nagaland.

“The Union government is sensitive to the popular sentiments of the Naga people and is committed to an early solution to the issue,” he said, adding that Centre attaches utmost importance to the Naga issue and has full faith in the on-going talks, saying peaceful elections in Nagaland will facilitate the talks and strengthen its commitment.

He appealed to all civil society groups to withdraw their call to boycott the election and asserted that timely holding of polls was a constitutional process and the Centre is bound by constitutional provisions.