Naga legislators resign in response to separatists

A group of legislators in the north-east Indian state of Nagaland have resigned following a call by separatists for a boycott of the forthcoming general elections.

The seven legislators -- three of whom belong to the Congress party -- said they stepped down because they wanted to help create the right atmosphere for the continuing talks between the separatists of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland and the Indian government.

A BBC correspondent in the state capital, Kohima says the separatists had threatened Naga politicians with dire consequences if they stood in the elections while the talks continued.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service