Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday clarified that the draft proposal of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) is from the Home Ministry and was handed to him by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss with the elected members and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO).

The clarification comes at a time of confusion among people whether the draft proposal of MoS presented by Eastern Nagaland Legislature’s Union (ENLU) during the 9th February 2024 meeting was from the Home Ministry or the State government.

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Pointing out that the confusion is between themselves, Rio said that there are two statements of the 9th February meeting wherein, the elected members said they had rejected the proposed draft and all the members present in the meeting have rejected unanimously and also lifted their hands. Whereas, ENPO said that they have not got the draft till such time.

Rio, also said the cabinet had decided that ENPO and ENLU should have a meeting, “because it is more like a power sharing how best it can be handled if they accept or if not then it should be relooked at and we will communicate the message to the Home Ministry.”

Responding to a query about ENPO’s desire to receive the draft directly from MHA and not any third party, Rio said, “If they want, let them ask they don’t have to go through the state, that is not our problem but since we are assigned to do, we did and if they don’t agree then, since they are having direct talk with the MHA they can directly ask.”

With regard to the ongoing Indo-Naga Political issue, Rio reiterated that once the settlement comes that is honourable, acceptable and inclusive, his government is ready to pave the way for the next arrangement to bring peace into our land.

Further, Rio also informed that the the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly will discuss the Free Movement Regime in this session.