M M Pillai Raju on two-day visit to Nagaland

Kohima, Apr 9: Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallai Raju is in Nagaland on a two-day visit, a defence release said here today.

According to the release, Mr Raju arrived at Rangapahar, the Headquarters of 3 corps near Dimapur yesterday, where he was received by General Officer Commanding(GOC) 3 corps Lieutenant General M S Dadwal and given a traditional welcome.

The Union Minister of State, during his visit, had an interaction with the local commanders and lauded the efforts of troops in keeping insurgency under check and creating a conducive environment for the civil administration to function effectively. He stressed the importance of people-friendly operations and civic action programmes to help local people.

According to political observers, Mr Raju's visit was important following the progress of talks with the NSCN-IM in New Delhi recently.

The Minister is currently on a tour to the Northeastern states.

Apart from Nagaland, he also visited Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

UNI