Factional clashes attracts public ire in Nagaland

By Vibou Ganguly

Kohima, Apr 29: On account of increasingly belligerent attitude of the two rival factions, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and its breakaway faction NSCN/GPRN resulting in violent armed clashes deep inside residential areas of civilians has unnerved the general public.

Several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have asked for the security of the civilians in the face of long duels of gunfire. A coordination meeting of the tribal hohos, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur Naga Students Union, chairman and secretaries of all villages and colonies was held under the auspices of Naga Council to register their strong protest.

In many incidents in the recent past, several cadres belonging to the two factions lost their lives.

Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, I.Imkong, asked the Government to either control the situation or quit.

Nagaland's Home Minister Imkong Imchen condemned the two factions for their present activities.

On April 25, the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) 10 lost a constable Hamji Konyak to the bullet fired by NSCN (IM) cadre.

Now the public is of the opinion that enough is enough and no further such activities are desirable by any faction.

The recently constituted Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the state Government has called for strict implementation and enforcement of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the ISF, including Assam Rifles (AR), Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) and Nagaland Police.

The committee is headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio himself with other members.

ANI