Patil asks Rio to act firmly with law and order

Kohima, May 15: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has asked the Neiphiu Rio led Nagaland government to deal firmly with law and order problem.

Mr Patil made the observation yesterday after reviewing the law and order situation in the state, official sources said here today.

Incidentally, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee(NPCC) had urged Mr Patil to ensure that the rule of law was 'restored' in the state.

In a memorandum submitted to him yesterday, NPCC president Hokheto Sumi maintained the people were suffering, due to frequent inter-factional clashes of underground groups.

The party also alleged the state government was unable to provide adequate security to the people.

The union minister arrived here from Shokhuvi after attending an Attestation Parade of the Assam Rifles.

He was received by Mr Rio and his Cabinet colleagues at the Assam Rifles helipad, from where he went to the Raj Bhavan.

He also held a meeting with Governor K Sankaranarayanan, the chief minister, the chief secretary, the Director General of Police, the GOC 3 Corps, Assam Rifles (North) Inspector General Cease-fire Monitoring Group Chairperson and SIB Joint Director.

Mr Patil also assured the Centre was ready to provide all possible help to maintain the law and order.

He was accompanied by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) joint secretary Naveen Verma, Linguistic Minorities Commission Chairperson Suresh Keshwani and other MHA officials.

UNI