Kohima, Aug 15: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today expressed concern over the inter-factional clashes among the underground groups of the state in which many people lost their lives so far.

Unfurling the national tricolour at the Secretariat Plaza here on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence, the chief minister appealed to the Nagas to join hands to find a permanent and honourable solution to the Naga problem could be found.

On behalf of the Nagaland government and the people, Mr Rio welcomed the recent extension of ceasefire between the Centre and both the factions of NSCN.

He expressed satisfaction that for the first time the talks between the Centre and the NSCN-IM was held in Nagaland and the extension of the ceasefire was also indefinite.

Giving various accounts of the development in various fields by his government in the last four and half years, Mr Rio appealed to the people to achieve greater success in the future with an optimistic outlook.

He also called upon all the Nagas to follow the path of reconciliation through the Christian principle of ''forgive and forget'' and urged them to come forward to be a part of the transformation that was taking place throughout the country.

UNI