NPF accuses Congress of imposing ''martial rule'' in Nagaland

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

In a release issued here, NPF president Shurhozelie said, ''The PR is nothing but the 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 PR had been imposed under the pressure of the Nagaland unit of the Congress even though the DAN government was a legitimately mandated government 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 Army rule just a few weeks ahead of the 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 alleged.

UNI AS DPM SS1038