 |
| Neiphiu Rio: Tough talk |
Kohima, July 30 : The Nagaland government today said the administration was being run under the diktat of the AK-series rifles and called for a concerted effort to ensure peace.
Backed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, home minister Imkong L. Imchen asked: “How long can we allow our officers to run the state under threat?” He hinted at a government crackdown, if necessary, on the rebel outfits.
The meeting on law and order at the Assembly secretariat at noon was attended by Rio, Speaker Kiyanilie Pesieyie, urban development minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu, MLA Nicky Kire besides chief secretary Lalthara, the director-general of police, K. Kire, and hosts of public leaders and representatives from various organisations.
Concurring with Imchen, Rio said the state government would no longer tolerate the gun culture.
At the same time he stressed unity among the Nagas. The “Naga nationalists” were diverting from the main issue of independence and instead creating law and order problem, Rio said.
According to him, the Naga groups have lost the mandate of the people given to them in 1951.
“They are taking up the side issues instead,” Rio said, adding that the only way to curb terrorism was to resolve the protracted Naga political problem with the Centre.
The officers were running the government under the threat of AK-series rifles, Imchen said, adding: “Why should they be threatened?”
Even the colony leaders and the gaonburahs (village headmen) were forced to work for the armed cadres, he said.
Imchen said given the situation, the government could not be run and sought the collective effort to check gun culture in Nagaland, especially, in Kohima where the policy-makers stay.
“We will not allow them to threaten the people any more,” the home minister said in a strong message to the militants.
Imchen urged the leaders of the colonies in Kohima not to shelter the armed cadres and urged them to co-operate with the law-enforcing agencies to check the presence of such elements in the civilian areas.
Under the pretext of the Naga political issue, the Nagas cannot be humiliated and threatened by AK-series rifles, Imchen said.
Rio said: “I believe that if we stand united, a solution can be worked out.”