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"With the fullest acknowledgement of prime aspirations of the Nagas and implementing the sacred code of unity and peace, we hereby declare a cease-fire amongst warring Naga brothers for a period of 30 days effective from December 19," NSCN (K) general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi said, in Kohima.
The comparative peaceful atmosphere in Nagaland was vitiated once again in the wake of escalation of factional killings in the past two months, but the people from all walks of life called upon the underground groups to stop such hostilities, particularly before the Christmas celebration.
Kitovi said NSCN (K) president S S Khaplang and he had taken the decision of cease-fire offer in order to make known the Nagas and the world about the underground outfit's efforts for 'peace and re-conciliation' among the Nagas, no matter what differences may exist.
"With the approaching of Christmas and the new year, the Naga army will strictly bind themselves towards suspension of military operations," the NSCN (K) general secretary said.
However, he asserted that the Naga army would have every right to protect themselves from any 'inimical terrorist' if forced upon.
Extending its support to the Naga re-conciliation move initiated by the Naga Hoho Co-ordination committee, the NSCN (K) maintained that peace and re-conciliation forwarded by Naga Hoho and other NGOS would give a better shape to Naga politics and erase 'crisis' within the Naga society.
However, NSCN (I-M) has expressed reservations about the Naga Hoho re-conciliation initiative, saying such a move must be based on the 'national principle'.
On earlier occasions, NSCN (K) had offered to temporarily cease hostilities in the days leading to Christmas.
More reports from Nagaland
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