DIMAPUR, Feb 9 NNN : The Naga People\u2019s Front (NPF) today condemns the stand of the Manipur cabinet and the views of the advocate in Imphal who have termed the statements of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as a hate speech.
\nNPF said, \u201cThis action of the Advocate (Khaidem Mani) and the Manipur cabinet is nothing but another example of how Nagas\u2019 rights and the Nagas\u2019 voice are being suppressed by the majority and the Manipur government.
\nThe NPF then said that these are just a few examples of how the Nagas have been denied their rights by the Manipur establishment under Ibobi Singh and the majority. \u201cTherefore when Nagaland Congress leaders led by SC Jamir including K. Therie, KV Pusa and H Chuba rushed to Imphal travelling all the way by road to seek the blessings and support of Ibobi Singh and strategize with him for the Nagaland elections, the NPF and the Nagaland Chief Minister clearly stated that it is nothing but a betrayal and an insult to the Naga people. We stated that it is a great insult and betrayal to all Nagas, when Naga leaders are going the chief minister of Manipur who is opposed to the Naga rights. That is why we said that, the Congress leaders in Nagaland have become the agents of outsiders. In fact, the SC Jamir led team had quietly rushed to Imphal in the early morning hours and returned during dark in order to keep their visit to Imphal a secret but the deputy chief minister of Manipur, who is also a Naga revealed their visit and purpose of visit to the media and the clandestine activity was exposed to the Naga public,\u201d the NPF press communique added.
\n\u201cThe NPF and the Nagaland Chief Minister have every right to speak up for the Naga people wherever our people live. The party and its leaders carry the voice of the Naga people and we will continue to voice the Naga rights and desire of the people so long as it is required. The NPF will not be a silent spectator to any injustice to the Naga people and will make every sacrifice required to work for the Naga people. Our aim is to being the Naga family together under a spirit of oneness politically, culturally and emotionally. We desire peace and brotherhood with all sections, especially our neighbors, because we will continue to live together as neighbors forever, but we will not let others take advantage of our goodness and suppress us and deny us our rights,\u201d the NPF statement asserted.
\nThe press communique then claimed that the NPF is a recognised political party and it is a party that is democratic in nature, peace loving and strives for universal brotherhood but \u201cwe will always stand up for the rights of the Nagas and we condemn the statements that the Nagaland Chief Minister\u2019s statements are \u201chate speeches\u201d and reiterate that expression of the feelings of the people is a democratic and fundamental right\u201d.
\nOn Saturday, the United Naga Council (UNC) has come out with strong statement while driving home its point by citing numerous cases to prove that Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio had said the right thing.
\n\u201cIt has been reported that the Manipur State Cabinet has taken serious note of the speech of Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland wherein the latter was described as one of the greatest enemies of the Nagas. In this connection, we would like to place the facts of Ibobi and his government to set the record straight,\u201d said the UNC.<\/p>\n\n