Kohima: Nagaland Home Minister Imkong Imchen has cautioned underground groups not to undermine the authority of the state government and called upon them to stop on-going fratricidal killings that jeopardized public peace.

Expressing concern over spurt in factional violence, particularly in and around Dimapur, the minister warned the groups not to provoke the government to directly execute its authority in the interest of peace among the public.

"The government's priority was to provide security and comfort to people, and one cannot afford to undermine the strength of the government. It has authority to execute violators (of laws) to protect people from insecurity," Imkong told newsmen yesterday at Dimapur after arriving from Delhi.

He said the underground groups were in cease-fire with the Centre and though the state goverment was not party to the arrangement, it was honouring it for the larger interest of peace. "But in the event of incitement of violence by underground groups, the state government is compelled to act."

Stating that armed rivalries crossed all limits, he said Naga people never mandated in favour of the gun culture that was prevailing in the state.
Source : PTI