By IANS,
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar Saturday said the central government and political leaders of the state are trying their best to resolve the six-decade-long Naga insurgency problem.
“The government of India and the political leaders of the state have tried their best to facilitate an early solution to the Naga political problem,” he said addressing the 64th Republic Day celebrations at the Secretariat Plaza here.
The governor also appealed to all political parties, Naga Hohos, civil societies, NGOs, the churches and the Naga underground groups to continue working for the peaceful permanent settlement of the Naga political issue so that Nagaland may finally see a new era of peace and development.
With elections to elect new legislators to the 60-members House scheduled to be held Feb 23, Nikhil Kumar appealed to all parties, election and government officials engaged in election duty and the people to maintain dignity and decorum during the election campaigns so as to ensure smooth and peaceful elections.
“Those engaged in election duty to discharge their duties with diligence and dedication without fear or favour and to ensure that every eligible voter exercise their right to vote,” he said.
Nikhil Kumar also appreciated the Nagaland churches’ contribution and appealed to all to make the forth coming election one of the cleanest election in the state history.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) have been fighting for an independent Nagaland since the 1980s.
The NSCN-IM entered into ceasefire agreement with the central government in 1997, while the NSCN-K signed a ceasefire in 2001.
More than 50 rounds of peace talks have been held between the NSCN-IM and the central government to end one of South Asia’s longest-running insurgencies that has killed 25,000 people since 1947.