Kohima, June 15: The Neiphiu Rio government today iterated its stand that it was in favour of a continuation of dialogue with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). But the chief minister and his cabinet also hinted that the Khaplang faction was returning to violence following the change in government at the Centre.
The Consultative Committee for Peace met here today and resolved to ask the NSCN (I-M) leaders to expedite the peace negotiations with Delhi. Conceding a sharp rise in killings and factional clashes across the state, Rio said his government was deploying security forces to maintain law and order.
“Everyone knows that Nagaland was enjoying peace but since the elections, there has been a change in the weather,” he said, indirectly holding the Congress responsible for the disturbances. Ministers for finance, planning, health, industry and power were present at the meeting. What raised eyebrows, however, was the absence of home minister T.M. Lotha.