Fighting between Naga insurgents may affect peace process

Shillong, Oct 11 (UNI) Assam Rifles DG Lt Gen Paramjit Singh today said factional fights between the warring insurgent groups NSCN(I-M) and NSCN(K) in Nagaland might affect the ongoing peace-process.

His statement assumes significance following the gun-fights between the two warring groups. More than a dozens cadres from both factions have been killed in factional fights.

''This inter-factional fighting needs to be checked before it snowballs, affecting the peace process,'' Lt Gen Singh told UNI here.

Presently, both the Naga insurgent groups are in a peace process with the Centre.

''We have taken all necessary measures to prevent such incidents and the situation in Nagaland is under control,'' he, however, maintained.

Denying that the Assam Rifles was involved in these factional fights, the DG said the force was neutral and had nothing to do with the insurgents.

''Our duty is to maintain peace and tranquility and to fight any anti-national elements,'' he said.

On the security aspect in the region, Lt Gen Singh said it had improved and was more or less peaceful, adding that the common man in the region had always wanted peace and development.

''People are fed up with their (militant) activities,'' he said, while pointing out that the militants were now targeting the civil population in order to draw attention.

UNI RRK PL VD KP1524