Dimapur, August 21 (MExN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has clarified the statements that an Islamic militant group had “sleeper cells” in Nagaland. He had made the statement during the meeting of chief ministers on internal security held in New Delhi on August 17 and reiterated that all statements on security matters made by him were based on intelligence inputs made available to the State government and also to Central agencies.
The CM however expressed appreciation for the statement issued by the NSCN (IM), which had yesterday denied any involvement with Islamic militants. In a rejoinder today, the chief minister said he was duty-bound to present all inputs and reports of internal security matter at the internal security meeting. The statements have not been made with any political motive or malice or with intentions of ‘holding on to his chair,’ he said. Rio also informed that he along with a delegation of Cabinet ministers had met the prime minister and reiterated the commitment of the state government to the peace process and in playing the role of active facilitator.
The CM also mentioned that he had submitted to the PM in written the commitment of the DAN government to pave way for an alternative arrangement that may be worked out after taking the ongoing political negotiations to its logical conclusion. It was informed that a copy of the letter was also endorsed for the Union Home Minister when the entire state cabinet called on him on August 18, 2009. Neither the CM or the DAN government was in favor or against any group or organization but rather the “state government has been tirelessly working as active facilitator in order to bring about permanent solution and lasting peace,” the CMO added.
