PAC appeals to outfits to vacate civil areas

Kohima Apr 29: The Nagaland government's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) has appealed to the militants to vacate the civilian areas in the state, official sources informed said today.

PAC secretary Lalthara, who is also the state's Additional Chief Secretary, at a meeting here yesterday expressed concern over the killings and movement of armed cadres in the civilian areas.

''These were clear violation of Cease-fire Ground Rules agreed by the underground factions with the Centre,'' he said.

Condemning the killing of a constable of the 10th Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) by the NSCN-IM cadres on Friday the PAC said the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), framed by the Union Home Affairs Ministry to monitor the Cease-fire Ground Rules, should be strictly followed by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Central Para-military Forces and police.

The PAC also resolved that the State Level Strategy Group, as well as the District Level Coordination Groups, already constituted by the Centre, should be urgently and sufficiently activated.

The committee further welcomed the extension of the Cease-fire Agreement between the Centre and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) on April 25, this year.

UNI