Kohima, Feb 10 (IANS): Nagaland's ruling party, the NPF Sunday criticised the Manipur cabinet for terming the statement of its Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio against his Manipuri counterpart as "hate speech".

"The action of the Manipur cabinet is nothing but another example of how Naga rights and the Naga voice are being suppressed by the majority and the Manipur government," Naga People's Front (NPF) spokesperson Abu Metha told IANS.

"Nagas in Manipur have always lived under decades of suppression by the majority and even their basic rights have been denied to them in all aspects," he added.

On Friday, Manipur decided to approach the Election Commission and the union home ministry seeking action against the Nagaland chief minister for the "hate speech" he made against Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Manipur Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro Singh said the "hate speech" made by the Nagaland chief minister could spark communal tension and have an adverse impact on inter-state relations.