Peace is top priority, says new Nagaland CM

KOHIMA: A 29 member- two tier ministry Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) headed by Neiphiu Rio, the 14th chief minister of Nagaland was sworn in here at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on Thursday by governor Shyamal Dutta.
The ministry comprises from the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF), BJP, JD(U), Samata, NDM and Independent, which has got a clear majority of 38 members in the 60 member August House.Altogether there are 22 cabinet ministers, who included seven first timers. Out of the 22 cabinet ministers, 10 are NPF, four - Independent, three -BJP, two each from JD(U) and NDM.
Interestingly all the four elected Independent legislators were also given the cabinet berth.Among the debutants who got the cabinet slot are P. Longon and Nkao Lotha (Both NPF).
Though during the function the leader of opposition I. Imkong (Congress) was present, the former chief minister S. C. Jamir was absent, while three former chief ministers- J. B. Jasokie, Vizol and Radhabhinod Koijam (former CM Manipur) and national leaders of BJP and JD(U) attended the swearing in ceremony which last for one and half hour.
Later Rio said, his top most priority would be to maintain peace and to bridge the gap between the centre and the undergrounds for an honourable negotiated settlement to the Naga political problem and side by side bring the development activities in the state. Asked whether if an settlement was made between the centre and the un-dergrounds, the chief minister said he was committed to step down at any moment, but the settlement should be acceptable to all sections of Naga society.
“The portfolio’s will be announced in a day or two�, Rio informed. Meanwhile the chief minister held a meeting at New Secretariart with the chief secretary, director general of Police and financial commissioner to update the administrative set-up, law and order and financial position of the state.