Blast near Nagaland CM's residence; no casualty

Kohima, Feb 21: At least three vehicles were damaged when a high-intensity blast occurred near the official residence of Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang here today.

"There was no casualty, though damages were caused to at least three vehicles parked nearby while windowpanes of some residences were also smashed," State Home Minister Y Patton said.

"The bomb blast took place in the thickly populated residential areas of the state capital where official and residential quarters of parliamentary secretaries are located," he said, adding the blast site was not far off from the official residential quarters of Chief Minister, Speaker and other ministers.

"It is very unfortunate that when the Naga people and various agencies have been making their concerted efforts to see that the Naga peace process reaches its logical conclusion, there are still some elements in our society who are trying to create confusions and disturbances in the minds of the Naga people in the state," he said.

"The Nagas have been suffering enough and time has come to reason together in finding permanent and lasting peace in Nagaland," he said. The state government would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to see that peace and tranquility was not disturbed in the state, he said.

PTI