NSCN(K) leader threatens Chief Minister

Kohima, Jul 18: The Nagaland Government has taken serious note of the threats on the lives of the chief minister, home minister and the Director General of Police by an NSCN(K) leader, as reported in a section of the media.

Reacting to the statement of the NSCN(K) leader, a Chief Minister's Secretariat release here today said, ''It is clearly known to everyone that the cease-fire was between the underground groups and the Government of India and the state government has no direct role to play in the cease-fire and the political dialogue.'' It said the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government had repeatedly made public its role of an active facilitator in the peace process and the DAN government "is the loudest advocator" for the talks to expedite. The government also felt that the underground factions and the Government of India should listen to the voice of the people.

The release further appealed to the underground leaders to heed the call of civil societies and listen to the 'cry of the people', if they are sincere in their stand that are working for permanent peace and cause of the Naga people.

In a recent statement in a section of the media, leader of NSCN(K) emissary Kughalu Mulatonu had threatened to abrogate the seven-year-old cease-fire with the Government of India and said that the chief minister, the home minister and the DGP will be responsible for the abrogation of the cease-fire.

The NSCN (K) had entered into the cease-fire agreement with the Government of India in April 2001, but formal talks were yet to start.

UNI