KOHIMA, Aug 16 ? Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said his government would continue to work for withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from his state, claiming that peace prevailed in the state. His government would continue to pursue withdrawal of AFSPA from Nagaland, following extension of ceasefire agreement between the Centre and NSCN-IM, Rio said while addressing a gathering here on the occasion of Independence Day yesterday. The DAN government urged the Centre after a unanimous resolution by the state cabinet that the Disturbed Areas act should not be extended to Nagaland, which was one of the most peaceful states in region in recent times, Rio said.
?This (request) had been taken up at the highest level in the Union Government,? Rio said, adding, police on its part had done well in controlling law and order situation in the state. The Chief Minister announced that though the Disturbed Area declaration was extended by one more year, the state government was continuing to vigorously pursue withdrawal of the notification. The Centre last month extended provision of the Act in the state for another year despite extension of the terms of ceasefire with NSCN-IM for a year effective from August one.
Expressing discontent over continuing inter-factional killings among underground groups which brought miseries to ?brothers, sisters and innocent children?, the Chief Minister appealed to all underground factions to shun violence and stop spilling ?blood of brother by brother?.
Besides taking up modernisation of police forces with assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, a new programme on modernisation of home guards was approved by the Centre recently, Rio said. He said the state government has also taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs for approving modernisation programme for village guards ?on whom lies the onus of providing security of border areas?.
Meanwhile, Naga People?s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) today questioned the ?motive of the Centre? in ?agreeing? to relax AFSPA in Imphal Municipal Area on a trial basis, accusing New Delhi of maintaining ?double standrads by playing as favourites? (to some). NPMHR in a statement here said non-removal of the Act from Nagaland and ?playing as favourites between communities? raised concerns about the Centre?s approach towards finding a settlement to the protracted Naga political issue.