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Thursday, Feb 28, 2008
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“Willing to go the extra mile to solve Naga problem”

Sushanta Talukdar

Niephiu Rio government has completely failed the people in the last five years, says Manmohan Singh

- PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR

IN A DIFFERENT GARB: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being welcomed with an attire of a traditional warrior of the Angami Naga tribe in Kohima, Nagaland capital, on Wednesday. Addressing an election meeting, he said the Congress was "willing to go the extra mile" to find an honourable solution to the Naga problem and bring long-lasting peace to Nagaland, which goes to the polls on March 5.

Kohima: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the Congress was “willing to go the extra mile” to find an honourable solution to the Naga problem and bring long-lasting peace to Nagaland.

Addressing an election rally here on his maiden visit to Nagaland, he said: “We have been engaged in a peaceful dialogue with disaffected groups to bring long-lasting peace. We have been open and liberal in our approach and are hopeful that we will succeed in our efforts. We were willing to go the extra mile for this purpose.”

Dr. Singh assured the people that the Congress would do “whatever is required to address all the genuine aspirations of the Naga people. Nagaland needs a period of peace and stability so that the Naga people can devote all their energies to their cultural, educational, social and economic development.”

“Fed up with violence”

The people of the State, he said, were fed up with violence and they wanted to be part of the overall process of development and change. “Development requires peace, stability and security. We alone are sincerely committed to bringing lasting peace to this region and, in particular, to Nagaland.”

Dr. Singh urged the voters to change the “ineffective and inefficient” Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government led by Niephiu Rio. He alleged that the Rio government had completely failed the people in the last five years.

“For the last five years, Nagaland has been under a hotchpotch coalition of different political parties under the DAN. They do not have a common ideology. They do not have a common agenda. Each one of them pulls in a different direction. What is common among them is a desire to be in power.”

Alleging that there was no rule of law, the Prime Minister said: “A government which could not provide security to its people has no right to get the support of the people again.”

Dr. Singh claimed that his party alone could provide a stable, united and efficient government, deliver on its promises and live up to the trust that the people of Nagaland repose on it.

AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, Congress Legislature Party leader I. Imkong and Pradesh Congress Committee president Hokheto Sumi spoke. Earlier, Dr. Singh was accorded a warm welcome and presented a dress of a traditional warrior of the Angami Naga tribe.

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