DIMAPUR, Dec 20 � With factional clashes continuing to disturb the peace in various parts of Nagaland and Zunheboto district bearing the brunt of recent incidents, Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen reviewed the security arrangements put in place by the Zunheboto District Security Coordination Committee (DSCC) in a meeting held at the residence of Zunheboto Deputy Commissioner at Zunheboto town yesterday.
The meeting discussed at length the situation and the security arrangements made by the DSCC. The Home Minister gave firm directions for the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Government of India in January 2008.
He has also ordered additional deployment of another IRB company at Zunheboto town and periphery areas to control further recurrence of factional incidents. He further urged the district administration and police to instil confidence in the public and to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail in the district.
The Home Minister assured that the Government will do everything within its command to provide security to the people, while adding that the people stand behind the people of Zunheboto even as it has been hit by such unwanted situation time and again.
The Home Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation which included DGP O Alem and Home Commissioner J Alam. The DSCC team included Zunheboto Deputy Commissioner KS Anden Konyak, Superintendent of Police T Chumren and Commanding Officer of the 21 Assam Rifles.
Local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Industries and Commerce KC Nihoshe pointed out that the situation in the district is �tense� with the cadres of NSCN (K) and NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) trying to search and attack each other. Underlining that the people of the district have long been desiring for peace to prevail, he called upon the district administration to strictly implement the ceasefire ground rules. He said this while pointing out that armed cadres were moving around freely in public-inhabited areas.
He also expressed fear that even if the factions cease fire during the festive season they would again resort to more factional violence in the coming year.
SP Zunheboto T Chumren conveyed the difficulties faced by the police force in terms of acute shortage of arms and ammunition as well as manpower. He, however, asserted that they have been trying to maintain security to the best of their capabilities with the support and cooperation of the district administration and civil society. He also highlighted the shortfalls of the SOP.
