'Attack on Thaisii a shock to Nagas'

IMPHAL: A group of militants rained bullets and tossed hand grenades at the motorcade of D D Thaisii, the only Naga minister in the Okram Ibobi Singh-led government at Rai Basti in Senapati district of Manipur on Saturday night.

Though Thaisii had a narrow escape in the attack, one of his escort members belonging to the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) was injured and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Imphal.

The attack on the education minister has come as a rude shock to the Naga people "at a time when dialogue and rapprochement within and without the Naga community is the pressing need of the hour," said the United Naga Council (UNC) on Tuesday in a statement issued by its publicity wing.

"We appeal to all groups to refrain from such acts of violence as it only vitiates the sharp divides in the state and we strongly urge them to seek resolution of all issues through peaceful means," said the UNC.

The Autonomous District Council (ADC) members of Senapati district also condemned the attack and termed the act as barbaric, inhuman and a breach of human rights.