Rio appeals to underground group to stop killings

Kohima, Aug 15 (UNI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphice Rio has appealed to the all underground groups to shun violence, stop fratricidal killing among the Naga brothers and work for a united Naga family.

Unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Indian Independence at the Secretariat Plaza here this morning, Mr Rio said the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) had been playing as the active facilitator of the peace process between the Centre and NSCN groups.

'' The Naga family must work towards understanding and unification of all sections of the society. They must leave no stone unturned to end the senseless fratricidal killings that spread more hatred and divisions within the Naga society.'' He said the ceasefire between the Centre and two factions of NSCN continued to hold good, despite the slow progress of the peace talks and negotiations. However, there has been no ceasefire amongst the underground groups of the state,he added.

Mr Rio said his Government also appealed to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga political dialogue to expedite the peace process and bring the negotiations to its logical conclusion, as the Naga youths have missed out opportunities which their counterparts have availed in different parts of the country.

Earlier, Rio took the salute of 24 contingents of the Assam Rifles, Naga Territorial Army, CRPF, Indian Reserve Battalion, Nagaland Armed Police, District Executive Force, Home Guards, Ex-Servicemen, NCC boys and girls five contingents, Bharat Scout and Guides, eight schools from Kohima and the Sainik School, Punglwa under Peren district of Nagaland.

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