PM Modi shares credit for Naga peace accord with previous governments

New Delhi: Acknowledging the role of previous governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought to share credit with them for the “successful talks” with NSCN (I-M) and hoped it will lead to development of not only Nagaland but the entire northeast region. “Every government has made some effort. At times there have been improvement, at times obstacles. This cycle continued. Everybody has contributed to this process. [caption id=“attachment_2402846” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] PM Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] “The credit does not go to any particular government, nor should it be taken. Everyone contributed to doing good. It is the result (of these efforts) that today in Nagaland there has been a successful dialogue with those people (NSCN(I-M) leaders). The result is that now we have had successful talks with those people in Nagaland,” he said. The Prime Minister was apparently referring to the recent framework agreement reached between the Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in Delhi when he was addressing birth centenary celebrations of Naga spiritual leader and freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu, popularly known as “Rani maa”. He said everybody has seen the dream of development and joining the mainstream in not only Nagaland, but the entire northeast and the country. “I am confident that the journey that has begun of walking together will bear best of results and the country will achieve greater heights,” he said in an obvious reference to the Naga accord. Modi said the push of his government has been on the development of infrastructure of the northeast region. He said if the issue of connectivity is resolved then development would not be a problem. He said efforts were on to provide railway connectivity to state capitals in the region. Referring to pineapples grown in the region and chillies in Nagaland, he said the northeast can become the “organic capital” of the country. The development of the region was vital for the country’s growth, he said. The function was also attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur T R Zeliang and O Ibobi Singh respectively. While Rajnath Singh said the Naga accord would usher in peace, Jaitley said the Land Border Agreement with Bangladesh and the Naga peace initiative were two key initiatives taken by the prime minister. PTI