Kohima: Thousands of people in Nagaland's Phek district took to the streets protesting against excesses committed by underground cadre on innocent civilians in various parts of the district for the past two months.

Spearheading the protest yesterday (Oct 19, 2004), Chakhesang Students Union (CSU) asked underground activists not to freely move around civilian areas and to adhere to the agreed ground rules of the ceasefire to create a peaceful environment.

According to the organisers, the students as well as elders took out rallies at Pfutsero, Chetheba and other towns of the district against the continuous harassment on civilians by the militants.

During the past two months, there has been free movement of armed cadres in the district to spread one group's area of influence over the other and in the process innocent civilians became victims of the on-going factional feud among the armed groups.

Last month militants opened indiscriminate firing on two school buildings at Chizami village, shot at a school student and beat up an elderly person at Chetheba town, prompting the tribal organisation of those areas to ventilate their grievances against the excesses committed by underground cadre.