State govt calls for repeal of AFSPA

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 8 (NPN) : In the aftermath of the horrific massacre at Oting on December 4,where 14 civilians were gunned down by a unit of the 21 Para commandos, the Nagaland cabinet Tuesday decided to ask the government of India, to repeal the controversial Armed Forces(Special Powers)Act, 1958. The demand for repeal of AFSPA has found wide support among all organisations and politicians both within and beyond Nagaland.

The State cabinet on Tuesday decided to urge upon the Centre to immediately revoke the law from the Nagaland where it has been in force for over 60 years.

It may be mentioned that chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday, while speaking at the mass funeral service at Mon, said that AFSPA had tarnished the image of the country. “We’re urging the Central government to remove AFSPA from Nagaland. I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has taken the matter very seriously,” Rio had said.

The cabinet decision was announced at a press conference at Secretariat conference hall here on Tuesday, by planning & coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs minister Neiba Kronu. He said the decision was taken at an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

At the meeting Tuesday, the cabinet was also briefed about the action taken after firing, including setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an officer in the rank of IGP among others.

Higher & technical education and tribal affairs minister and State BJP president Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, who was also present at the press conference, reminded that AFSPA was renewed every six months and not a subject matter under the state government.

Along said the state government could only make an appeal to the Centre to revoke AFSPA, but it was entirely the prerogative of the Centre to revoke it or not. He further opined that the Central government also ought to take note of the feelings of the people of the State. Along said the cabinet had decided to make its appeal through proper channel to reassure the people that it was committed for repeal of AFSPA.

He also informed that state BJP will convene a meeting soon to put forth the views of the people before the Central leaders.

Along claimed that Union home minister Amit Shah’s statement,which was criticised, was in sync with the State government’s move to set up SIT. He said Centre’s concern on the issue was evident in both Houses of Parliament.

Cabinet backs KU demands: Kronu said the Cabinet has also decided to support the demands of the Konyak Union (KU) addressed to President of India on December 6, for repeal of AFSPA from the north east, inclusion of two ENPO members to the SIT etc. Kronu also said the cabinet decided that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) complete its investigation within one month as decided by the State government.

On the demand for withdrawal of 27 Assam Rifles from Mon district, Kronu said the government would need to look into it and discuss it with the Centre.

Confirming that 14 persons had died at Oting and Mon town during the two-day mayhem, Kronu said eight were currently admitted at hospitals at Dibrugarh(two) and Dimapur, with the condition of two being critical, while 22 were released. He said that the law and order situation in Mon was under control as informed by the DC.

Agatha backs demand

National People’s Party (NPP) MP Agatha Sangma, a former union minister, also demanded the repeal of the Act, terming the act as “the elephant in the room which (needs to) be addressed.”

Sangma said the killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland, “reminded all of the Malom massacre” in which over 10 civilians were shot dead in Imphal “and prompted a 28-year-old Irom Sharmila to go on a 16 year-long hunger strike.”

The insurgency issue has not been helped by the enactment of AFSPA and instead what it has done is that it has caused civilians to be unfairly tortured, raped and killed, she alleged. “Therefore, I take this opportunity not just on behalf of my party, but also on behalf of the people of Northeast, that this act be repealed,” she said.

NPFLP endorses cabinet’s decision

NPF legislature party (NPFLP) has endorsed the state cabinet’s decision to write to Government of India for repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) by both House of the Parliament.

In a press release, NPF legislature party leader TR Zeliang said AFSPA was a draconian law and the same must be immediately repealed if human rights were at all valued in India.

NPF legislature party demanded that the Indian Army HQ. should answer to the Naga people on whether standard operating procedure of AFSPA was followed by the Army personnel during the said Operation including the exact origin of intelligence input(s) leading to the carnage.

Stating that the brutal killing of 14 innocent civilians was a violation of human right of the highest degree, NPF legislature party said the Indian Army, at a time like this, should recollect how in the recent past, a good number of daring Naga jawans lost their lives while encountering the Country’s enemies in the line of duty.

The party said that the Naga martyrs were highly honoured with accolades and awards, however, the Indian Army mercilessly killed innocent Naga civilians in return for such acts of heroic sacrifices for the Country.

NPF legislature party has urged upon the SIT to judiciously carry out the investigation without fear or favour so justice was delivered. It also demanded that at the earliest time possible, it must be revealed under whose directive and command the dastardly act of massacre took place.

When the Naga people were yearning for peace and settlement of the long-pending “Indo-Naga” political issue, NPF legislature party said “the genocide committed by the Indian Army under Mon District has threatened the very existence of the Naga people and is most shocking.”

It said that no amount of reasoning can justify such merciless killings of innocent civilians.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/state-govt-calls-for-repeal-of-afspa/246151.html