'Martial rule' in Nagaland following Congress pressure:NPF

Kohima, Jan 04 (UNI) The Nagaland Peoples' Front(NPF), a major ally of the outgoing Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government, today flayed the Congress for the imposition of President's Rule in the state.

In a release issued here, NPF president Shurhozelie said, ''President's rule is nothing but Army rule. The Naga people do not need to be reminded of the years of suffering and pain that they have undergone under the Centre's Army rule.'' He alleged that the central rule had been imposed following pressure of the Congress's Nagaland unit even though the DAN government was a legitimately mandated one and enjoyed the support of the people.

The NPF president termed the decision as "nothing but an outright murder of democracy which has been politically motivated to suit the interests of the Congress".

He, however, said the NPF was prepared to face any consequence as they had full faith in the people.

''The Congress has decided to impose President's rule just a few weeks ahead of the assembly elections as it is fully aware of its poor prospects in the forthcoming polls. Therefore, the party has taken this extreme step to make the entire population of Nagaland suffer for extending their support to the DAN government,'' he further said.

UNI AS DPM PL KLC1339