Facing growing criticism over its inability to curb rampant criminal activity in Nagaland, the police has formed a Special Operational Force (SOF) to tackle the problem.

Extortion, kidnapping, blackmail and other criminal activities have dogged Kohima, commercial hub Dimapur and its outlying areas for years, especially during the festive season starting with the Hornbill festival.

The formation of the SOF was underlined by the state home minister, Imkong Imchen's announcement that there was a need to form special operation units in the two towns.

The areas have been divided into several sectors to enforce the rule of law and instill confidence among people, director-general of Police K Kire said in an order issued recently.

Each sector will be under the command and control of a deputy commandant and assistant commandant rank police officer who will be personally responsible for maintaining order.

Additional companies of India Reserve Battalions will be deployed in Kohima and Dimapur districts by the police headquarters to augment existing forces.

Growing instances of extortion and kidnapping of traders for ransom by underground political groups had forced the business community to enforce a two-day closure of Dimapur town recently demanding adequate security measures.

The home minister was severely criticised by opposition parties on his stand that the state police was handicapped to operate against underground groups.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, argued that since the government of India recognized both groups of NSCN as political entities and was holding peace talks with them, the state government cannot have limitations in taking action.

The Centre had lifted ban on both the groups in 2001 after signing separate cease-fire agreements with them in 1997 and 2001 respectively.

The minister pointed out that forcible collection of money had started from the days of the initial stage of the Naga political movement and remained till date.

"This is not a small issue, but a very critical and huge one where wisdom of the Naga peoples' joint efforts is essentially required,'' Imchen said.