Rio claims law and order situation normal

Touphema, Feb 26(UNI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has claimed that the law and order situation of the state is normal and under control except for some inter-factional clashes among the underground groups.

He, however, refuted the charges of the opposition Congress that the state machinery has failed to control the law and order situation.

Addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of the Sekrenyi festival here yesterday, he said the state law enforcing agency could hardly do anything as both the warring NSCN factions have ceasefire agreement with the Union Government.

''If any action is to be taken, it should be a joint effort of the Centre and the state governments,'' he said adding the state government was very serious on the issue and took utmost caution that no civilian or their properties were damaged in the factional clashes.

He said the Centre has already accepted the matter as a national political issue and accordingly maintained cease-fire agreement with the NSCN factions. ''Now it is the duty of the Centre to deal with the issue politically and stop of the factional clashes,'' he added.

UNI