Rio calls for peace and reconciliation

Kohima : Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio while appealing for peace and reconciliation in Naga society has expressed hope that all sections of the Naga people would work towards ‘understanding and oneness’ so that an honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political problem would be brought about through the political negotiations.

Speaking during the inaugural function of the two-day general conference of the Nagaland DBs Association held in Phek under the motto “Backbone of administration” yesterday, Rio also expressed hope to work towards prosperity and progress through peace, understanding and oneness amongst the Naga people.

Towards this ends, he appreciated the role being played by the Joint Forum of the DBs and GBs who he said have tirelessly worked for unity and reconciliation.

Exhorting the Dobashis, Rio called upon them to work with utmost integrity and deliver fair justice to the people in order to strengthen the hands of government and society. Observing that DBs carry utmost responsibility in delivering justice as they are the custodians of the Naga customary laws, he however cautioned that wrong or biased decisions have the potential to create divisions, misunderstandings and even violence.

In order to improve the delivery of justice through the customary system, the CM urged upon the DBs to take steps towards documentation, record keeping and streamlining of the customary laws. This, he said, should be done in consultation with all the tribal Hohos so that different conventions and laws of the respective tribes are properly recorded. “This will greatly benefit the future generations,” he said.

Rio praised the system of Naga customary laws saying that under the customary system, there are no losers or winners, but rather the aim of the system is to achieve reconciliation, understanding and compromise.  The CM further called upon the DBs to conduct seminars, conferences and refresher courses, especially for the new appointees. Towards this end, he assured the cooperation and assistance of the State Government.

Gracing the occasion as guest of honour, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu called upon the people to preserve Naga identity and uphold the principles of truthfulness and honesty, which is the ‘true essence of our customary law’.

The history of GBs and DBs during the colonial rule records that they were powerful, responsible and respectable and urged them to retrospect themselves in this regard. He also said,  ‘we need to maintain unity among our people by cutting across tribalism, language and community and rise above all narrow sectarian interest so that we can foster the spirit of unity and brotherhood.’