Naga peace process on track, Rio

Shillong, Jul 22 (UNI) Ahead of Naga peace talks scheduled for July 28, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the Naga peace process was going on a positive direction and hoped the problem would be solved.

"If an immediate settlement is not there, an interim agreement on the issue must be evolved. This issue should be handled step by step," Mr Rio told UNI in an interview.

Expressing optimism to resolve the decade old Naga crisis, the Chief Minister said, ''any solution to the (Naga) crisis is possible''. while refusing to suggest his opinion.

Mr Rio informed that Union Minister Oscar Fernandez had visited Nagaland and met members of the civil society including church leaders to elicit their opinions prior to the next round of talks.

Stating that his government was playing the role of a facilitator, Mr Rio said, the NSCN and the government of India were looking forward to solve the crisis.

" The state government has no intention to intervene in the peace process. We will only act as facilitators'' Mr Rio maintained.

To a question, Rio said the present crisis faced by the state was 'disunity' among the people of different factions.

" There are many players in the state and there is disunity which is causing problems for the state'' Rio regretted.

On the integration of Naga dominated areas, Mr Rio said, his government was 'not forcing' anyone to join Nagaland. ''Anyone wishing to join the state is welcome''.

He said that the Nagas living in Manipur have started following the Nagaland syllabus for their wards' education." UNI RRK PC RD 1409