Nagaland Lok Sabha member Neiphiu Rio, speaking at the Nagaland-Assam Friendship meet in Moriani on Sunday, appealed to the communities on both sides of the border to maintain friendly relations.
Rio, who graced the meet as chief guest, said Nagas and Assamese people have been neighbours Since time immemorial and would continue to be neighbours for all times to come. Therefore, he stated that it was in the mutual interest and benefit of both the states to have cordial and healthy relationship.
Lamenating that border disputes were being addressed in courts, Rio expressed the hope that the out of court settlements would be the way forward. He further called for more people-to-people contact, regular cultural exchanges and maintenance of cordial relationship in the border regions so both communities would benefit in a mutual manner.
Lok Sabha MP from Assam Gaurav Gogoi, who was the guest of honour, also appealed to the people living in the border regions to maintain peace and tranquillity for mutual benefit. He lauded the organizers for initiating the “landmark programme” and expressed confidence that such exchanges would bring the people closer in a more positive environment.
A football match was played between Nagaland Police and Assam Police to commemorate the friendship meeting. Cultural performance was also held where performers belonging to local communities and village representatives from both Assam and Nagaland participated.
Rio was accompanied by a host of MLAs, leaders of civil society organisations and senior government officials.