Dimapur: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio's statement on integration of contiguous Naga areas has led to a controversy.

The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) of Nagaland clarified on Monday that Rio had only stated what was conveyed to him and the state government during a meeting with Union home minister Rajnath Singh and central officials in New Delhi on June 12.

After meeting Rajnath, Rio had reportedly told a TV channel that integration of contiguous Naga areas is not feasible at this juncture.

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) on Sunday had termed Rio's statement on Naga territorial integration as "irrational and irresponsible" and said it was nothing but a direct challenge to the "Naga national cause".

On Monday, the NDPP, in a press release, said Rio had clearly stated that the demand and desire of the Nagas for integration of all contiguous Naga areas were genuine.

On Rio's interview by the TV channel, the NDPP said transcripts of the interview were available in public domain for everyone to analyse.

According to the NDPP's press release, Rio said the Centre had told him that geographical integration of contiguous Naga areas was not possible at this juncture.

It added: "Therefore, these are not his personal views and not even views of the party or the People's Democratic Alliance government. In fact the statements were misinterpreted and sensationalised by a section of the media."

The NDPP further said there was no validity or merit in the Opposition's attempts to question Rio's stand on the issue of Naga integration.

The ruling party said the statements of the Opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) did not contain any truth and were aimed at personally attacking the chief minister.

The NPF said on Monday that the Naga people "cannot be taken for a ride by pointless arguments of the NDPP to defend Rio".

In a release on Monday evening, the NPF said it is expected that the chief minister should make his stand clear on important issues such as integration of Naga contiguous areas and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.