The Nagaland Chief Minister – Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that the state has been lagging behind in all forms of development due to the “unresolved” Naga political issue.

“The Nagas must unite and resolve the protracted issue to usher in a new dawn of progress. For over 70 years, Naga people have suffered and were deprived of development while opportunities were also few owing to the unresolved issue,” the chief minister said.

No final solution have been achieved till date, with the NSCN-IM remaining firm on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, he said.

The chief minister hailed the recent developments with political talks continuing between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Working Committee of seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs).

The NSCN-IM and NNPGs have recently agreed to form a common body to explore ways and move forward toward finding a solution to the imbroglio over the Naga peace talks.

The talks with NSCN-IM started in 1997 following the signing of a ceasefire agreement and they inked the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015.

It is worth noting that the decision to have the common body known as ‘Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation’ was an outcome of a meeting between the NNPGs and the NSCN-IM initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.