India, Feb. 17 -- Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on February 15 called for expediting the long-pending Naga political settlement, stating that the peace process must move forward without further delay. He was speaking at Ukhrul headquarters after unveiling a commemorative monolith during the Lui-Ngai-Ni celebrations, the seed-sowing festival.

Lui-Ngai-Ni marks the onset of spring and the beginning of the agricultural cycle and is regarded by Naga communities as an auspicious period to sow seeds and seek blessings for a good harvest. The festival was declared a State Festival by the Manipur government in 1988 and later recognised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in 1997 as an official tourist festival.

Addressing the gathering as ch...