According to the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, religious tolerance is needed in order to maintain the secular character of the country. While addressing the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting Mr. Rio picked apart various laws that were passed by certain States in the name of governing religious renovation and were thought to be aimed at forbidding voluntary conversion to Christianity. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. To him these measures turned to violation of citizens` elementary right to admit and proliferate the religion of their choice as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, India, is a member of the Nagaland People`s Front. He is born on 11th November 1950 to Guolhoulie Rio of Tuophema village in Kohima District. He belongs to Angami Naga tribe. From Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, Purulia in West Bengal, he received his early education. After that he received higher education from St. Joseph` college, Darjeeling and graduated from Kohima Arts College. He is married and has five daughters and one son.

He has started his political career from his early days in School and college. Neiphiu Rio was the honorary vice- President of IRCS Nagaland branch and since 1999, he is the Life time Deputy governor (Honorary) Board of Governors, American Biographical Institute Research Association. On invitation of US Senate, he has also attended the 44th National Breakfast Prayer Meeting programme in Washington DC, USA 2000. On May 30, 1995, once he escaped fortunately in an assassination bid on his life.

Rio entered into mainstream politics when he was appointed as the President of Kohima District UDF Youth Wing in the year 1974. During 1976-1977, he served as the Acting President of UDF Youth Wing Nagaland. In the year 1984, he was attributed with the Chairmanship of Northern Angami Area Council. During 1993- 2002, he was the Member of AICC (I). In the year 2002, Rio joined NPF after resigning from Congress (I). Till date he is the member of Working Committee NPF.

He was first elected to Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the 7th General Elections of 1989 from Northern Angami-II constituency on congress (I) ticket. He was inducted as the Minister for Sports & School Education. Consequently, he was allotted the Cabinet Ministry for Higher & Technical Education, Art & Culture. He has also served as Chairman of NIDC, NKVIB and Development Authority of Nagaland.

In the General elections of 1993, Rio re-contested and elected from the same Constituency as Congress (I) candidate. He was appointed as the Minister for Works & Housing. In 1998, from Northern Angami-II, he was re- elected through the General Election and was given the charge of the Minister for Home. On September 20, 2002, he resigned from the Congress (I) Ministry led by S.C. Jamir. On November 2002`, he resigned from the membership of the 9th house and the party.

As the member of Nagaland People`s Front, he participated in the formation of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). Other Naga regionalist parties along with Nagaland People`s Front and state branch of BJP came under the leadership of Rio and formed Democratic Alliance of Nagaland. It is a jointure which won the 2003 state elections and bring the 15-year-long rule of the Indian National Congress in the state to the end. On March 6, 2003, Rio took office as chief minister.

Neiphiu Rio, greeted the initiative that are taken by the Center in order to reconstitute the National Integration Council to preserve the interests of the minorities. While telling that India was known for its secularism and forbearance, he said that of late the secular image had "taken a beating at the hands of certain religious fundamentalists." To him the tribals and lower castes of the majority community were denied fundamental rights to freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Constitution. He also expressed his appreciation for the Right to Information Act, 2005, according to UNI.

At the 52nd meeting of National Development council held at New Delhi on 9th December 2006, Rio glorified his state as " Nagaland has already prepared its own `Vision 2020` document, which has been incorporated in the Human Development Report of Nagaland 2004, several copies of which have also been forwarded to the Planning Commission. It would be appreciated if some of the aspirations of the State Government, as highlighted in the `Vision 2020` chapter of the State Human Development Report 2004, are also incorporated while finalizing the Draft Approach Paoer to the 11th Plan."