Arunachal civil society meets FNR to stop NSCN infighting

Kohima, Jan 30 (PTI) Members of Arunachal Pradesh civilsociety has met leaders of ''Forum for Naga Re-conciliation''(FNR) with a request to persuade the two factions of NSCN tostop in-fighting inside the Himalayan state.

A seven-member delegation representing ArunachalCitizens'' Rights, NEFA Indigenous Human Rights Organisation,among other groups sought FNR''s immediate intervention intothe on-going armed clashes between two NSCN groups in Tirapand Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh yesterday.

The members told newsmen that tension has been mounting inthe two districts due to in-fighting between NSCN (IM) andNSCN (K) since November last year.

"The villagers even could not celebrate Christmas and NewYear properly due to the prevailing situation. Some villagesare completely under the control of the factions and they arenot being allowed to move out of the village. Their mobileswere also taken away," he said.

Moreover, due to the latest spurt in armed clashes, thevillagers were unable to carry out jhum cultivation, the mainlivelihood of the tribal people there, the delegates said.

FNR convener Rev Wati Aier said the delegates from theneighbouring state had expressed concern over the spiralingviolence.

The FNR also facilitated meetings between the delegatesand leaders of both groups of NSCN at their respectivedesignated camps where the civil society members apprised theunderground leaders of the gravity of the situation.

The delegation particularly pointed out that while the FNRwas in the process of bringing top leaders to meet under itsre-conciliation initiative, the Nagas must be vigilant against"external and internal forces" that might attempt to derailthe hard earned peace and re-conciliation process.