Aiyar welcomes extension of truce

Kohima, Aug 1 (UNI) DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today welcomed the extension of Ceasefire agreement signed between New Delhi and the NSCN(IM) in Dimapur yesterday.

''Indefinite extension is a good sign as longer peace means more development to the state'', Mr Aiyar said while inaugurating a building of the Commissoner office here this morning.

A permanent peace will prevail in Nagaland and the people would be able to reap the fruit of development, he added.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio termed the agreement historic as the ceasefire extension talk was held in Nagaland for the first time. He appreciated the leaders of both the negotiating parties for tie extension, as that would pave way for speedy development of the state.

He appealed to the people and the security forces to ensure that the ground rules of the ceasefire was maintained so that a permanent peace could be achieved.

UNI