The apex body of various Naga tribes, the Naga Hoho in a desperate call issued to the undergrounds urged them to stop fratricidal killings. The Naga Hoho has appealed to both underground and overground set-ups in the State not to take precipitative actions or to provoke one another at this crucial juncture as the Nagas have a last chance to settle the decades-old political problem.

 Expressing serious concern over the recent resurgence of factional killings, Naga Hoho president M. Vero and convenor of Naga Hoho Co-ordination Committee Niketu Iralu in a statement said the present opportunity could be a last chance for “our people to adequately heal our wounds and to secure the future of our people.”

 Since the attack on NSCN (I-M) ceasefire monitoring cell office at Dimapur, fratricidal killings are on the rise in the State. At least 20 people have so far been killed including couple of civilians. The State Government recently reviewed the situation and Chief Minister S. C. Jamir has ordered all agencies to initiate firm steps against the law breakers in a co-ordinated manner. Police and security forces stepped up road patrols. Frisking of vehicles, raids in suspected places and deployment of forces at Kohima and Dimapur, where most of the violent incidents occurred, are going on.

 According to Naga Hoho, the Naga people were passing through a “critical juncture”.  At this stage when a breakthrough in the vexed Naga issue could either happen or their search for a final settlement could suffer a serious setback, the tribal body has urged everyone to exercise restraint.

 Meanwhile, in an act of solidarity, a 20-member delegation of Chakhesang Naga community visited Senapati.
     
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