The Rising People’s Party (RPP) today criticised the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for failing to voice out and address various concerns in Naga society.
Referencing the PDA co-ordination meeting held on April 8, where the Chief Minister of Nagaland loudly proclaimed that the “NDPP led Government will never compromise the faith and identity of Nagas”, the RPP asserted that statement as false, adding ‘The truth is far more sinister’.
“In the year 2010, Mr. Rio approved the setting up of Rani Gaidinliu Library-cum-Memorial Museum at Kohima – later shelved. Even the site selection was done by him. Had the Library-cum-Memorial Museum materialized it would have become a centre of Heraka and RSS activities in the state.
CM Rio has not uttered even a single word against the persecution of Christians. Unlike his Mizoram counterpart he never condemned the burning of 249 churches and the persecution of Kuki-Zo community in Manipur,” criticised the RPP.
The party also condemned Rio for failing to voice out against the Assam Healing Practices Act which imperils Christian missions.
“He was on mute button when the ECI held counting on Sunday after the Tapi A/C bye-election whereas Mizoram government protested and the counting date was shifted to Monday, December 4. It was under his watch that Nagaland University declared Easter Sunday 2024 as a working day,” stated the RPP.
When NDPP’s alliance partner declared December 25 as Good Governance Day, RPP reminded that Rio never offered his dissenting opinion. It was also under Rio’s watch that Yoga teachers were attached to all the government schools on paid honorarium, accused the RPP.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
“When it came to food, PDA banned the buy and sell of dog meat in the state. Mr. Rio, unlike his Meghalaya counterpart, never opposed beef ban by Amit Shah. His silence was deafening on Hindi imposition in schools,” maintained the RPP.
The party further lambasted Rio in failing to oppose the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) unlike his Mizoram counterpart. “Mr. Rio’s weak reply was “ If need be we have to work out a formula….” Essentially Mr. Rio was proposing a compromise but the vociferous opposition by political parties and CSOs alike forced him to pass a resolution in the state assembly,” stated RPP.
The lackadaisical attitude of the NDPP Government in ensuring strict implementation of ILP in Dimapur was also highlighted. “Dimapur has become a breeding ground for all sorts of immigrants and fundamentalist organisations and yet not even a single deportation takes place. Today Nagaland is threatened from within and outside by hostile forces while the NDPP lives in Gaga-land,” asserted the RPP.
