Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, December 18:
Though factional violence dominated the year 2006 in Nagaland, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has described the year as the most successful year for the State.
Rio claimed the year 2006 witnessed innumerable development activities for the welfare of the people.
He said hosting of North East Agri Expo in Dimapur, year-long observance of The Year of the Farmers and the celebrations of the annual event of the State � Hornbill Festival in a unique way � were some of the successful activities of the government employees right from Chief Secretary to the lowest grade and the people of the State.
But the fact remains that as many as 46 persons including underground cadres had been killed and another fifty-two were injured in eighty-nine incidents of factional violence from January 1 to December 2, 2006 in Nagaland.
This excludes casualties and injuries in other violence-related incidents.
This was disclosed by none other than Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho during the day-long Winter Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
It was owing to unabated factional clashes that the people of Zunheboto district had to spend sleepless nights for about a week thereby compelling opposition Congress in the State to demand imposition of President's Rule in the State.
Besides factional clashes, the State especially its commercial hub Dimapur had witnessed a series of bomb blasts at market place.
But surprisingly, Nagaland police could not arrest any of those who were behind the blasts nor did they have any clues as to the identity of the perpetrators.
The factional violence was so much so that three prominent NGOs of the State including Naga Hoho, Nagaland Baptist Church Council and Naga Mothers' Association had to initiate an effort for healing and reconciliation among the underground factions.