Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio clearly stated that the solution to the vexed Naga issue depends on the negotiating parties and not the general public.

The public can only put pressure on the negotiators and the 60 members are also doing the same as facilitators, he said while speaking to a section of reporters on the sideline of the inaugural function of the Farmer’s Market today here in Meriema.

Rio also stated that while the Nagaland government welcomes the joint statement of the NSCN-IM and the 7 NNPGs, at the same time it cannot afford to create a constitutional crisis and create a law and order problem by boycotting the Assembly elections which is a constitutional duty.

“I think every right-thinking persons, they should pursue by the rules,” Rio added.

The chief minister is also slated to leave for the national capital in a day or two to further discuss the 20/40 seat sharing formula with its alliance partner BJP.