Rio gets a taste of SPF hospitality
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2011: It was practically an anti-climax to the tough stand announced by the Ibobi Singh Government on May 26 and 27 .

Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio crossed the Mao Gate at the head of a large number of Nagaland police who escorted him at around 9.10 am today without any restrictions while an even larger number of State Police forces that were deployed there to prevent his entry stood silently watching the spectacle.

Following an order from the State Government issued early morning today to ADGP V Zathang, who was in command of the State Police forces deployed at Mao Gate, ostensibly to prevent entry of Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio, the latter crossed the Mao Gate without any problem.

Prior to his arrival, a large number of NPF members and supporters gathered at Mao Gate waiting to welcome Nephiu Rio.

Just before his arrival at the Mao Gate, a special team of Nagaland police landed near Mao Gate on the Nagaland side of the border and waited for Nephiu Rio.

As soon as Nephiu Rio stepped inside the territory of Manipur and crossed the Mao Gate at around 9.10 am, a large gathering of people who were waiting for him there accorded a warm welcome and soon after they climbed up in their respective vehicles to follow the convoy of the Nagaland Chief Minister till Senapati.

All along the way from Mao to Senapati, Maram villagers also stood on the roadside waving at Nephiu Rio.

As this spectacle unfolded, State police forces including IRB personnel and Police Commandos, who have been stationed there since yesterday to prevent his entry, stood watching, reduced to mere spectators.

After the Nagaland Chief Minister reached Senapati and the function for launching of the Manipur State Unit NPF commenced, State security forces too started dispersing one after another silently.

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