March against AFSPA: 2-day walkathon commences

January 11, 2022 70 Views No Comment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, JAN 10 (NPN) : Hundreds of people from different walks of lives began the two-day ‘March against AFSPA’ from Super Market Dimapur to Kohima around 6 a.m. on Monday, even as more joined the march along the way.

The walkathon was organised by likeminded citizens with no political affiliations, to voice their demand for complete withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, from Nagaland vis-à-vis the Oting massacre, the organizers said.

The walkathon began after a prayer by Forum for Naga Reconciliation member Rev Dr Ellen C. Konyak. The participants including noted church leaders, FNR convenor Dr. Wati Aier and NMA president Abeiu Meru began their march by singing the song “We shall overcome”, even as the elderly group led the march by humming folk songs.

Participants were seen holding placards some that read: “Repeal AFSPA”; “Is Nagaland still under colonial rule?; Repeal this colonial Act- AFSPA”; “There is no freedom without justice” etc.

Along the way, members of many village councils, women hohos (mother organisations), student bodies, etc, showed support by distributing light refreshments, putting up placards and waving at the marchers, whilst also praying for them.

The youngest among those who joined the march included a five-year-old boy and seven-year-old girl, while the eldest comprised of 65-plus.

The marchers are to halt for the night at a place arranged by Piphema Village Council (PVC)and resume the march to Kohima on January 11. On arrival at Kohima, the marchers will submit a memorandum to the Centre through Nagaland Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi.

Till the time of filing this report, it was learnt that all participants had safely reached Piphema, where they were received by PVC officials.

Speaking to this reporter, Kevitho Kera, one of the core members of the organising committee, remarked he was overwhelmed with the support received from various organisations. He said many organisations displayed their support along the way by putting up placards and also arranging light refreshments.

On the December 4 incident at Oting, he said it was a reminder of how AFSPA worked. He said that the participants were taking part in the two-day march demanding complete withdrawal of the “draconian” law from the State, adding that Nagas would not be satisfied with “partial” repeal or removal of the Act.

An elderly person, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that Nagas were now standing up together against AFSPA. He spoke with grief as he recalled the killing of his late brother at the hands of the Indian army. He recalled that his late brother had gone hunting with his fellow friends and, on their way, they were fired upon by security forces. He said while others survived the incident, his brother succumbed to injuries.

Besides village councils, women hohos and other organisations extending their support to the walkathon, members of RE Brothers (motorcycle club), along with Dimapur Traffic Police personnel, escorted the marchers, while an ambulance followed the marchers.

ENSF reiterates demand for justice to Oting victims
Correspondent adds: Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has reiterated its demand for justice to victims of Oting massacre.
Addressing the media at Piphema, where participants of the walkathon arrived after marching from Dimapur, ENSF president Chingmak Chang said another way to do justice to the victims would be by booking all jawans and officers of Indian Army involved in the gruesome killing of 14 innocent civilians at Oting and subsequently at Mon.
He said the government should also give Rs. 1 crore to each of the victim’s families and Rs 50 lakh to each of the injured as they were currently admitted at various hospitals.
He also questioned the Central and State governments over the promise of providing jobs to the victims’ families as made by chief minister Neiphiu Rio during a funeral event. He regretted that it was over a month now but there was still no news about it.
He insisted that the promises that were made should be fulfilled at the earliest.
Referring to the decision made at the meeting between Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the State government that the jawans and officers of Indian Army involved in the killings would be suspended, Chang pointed out that till now no action had been taken against them.
He demanded that the Centre should come out on this issue in black and white and the general public should be made aware of what was taking place.
ENSF also demanded that the state government make public the SIT report, once it is submitted to the government.