Nagaland may be free of AFSPA in next 3-4 years: Amit Shah

Campaigns for second day in ENPO area 

Morung Express News
Tuensang | February 22

The contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 has been partially lifted in Nagaland and may be completely removed from the State in the next 3-4 years, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Tuesday. 

In seven districts and 15 police stations of Nagaland, the Act has been lifted and I believe that in the coming three to four years, Nagaland will be completely freed from AFSPA, he opined, addressing a joint rally of NDPP and BJP at the Parade Ground Tuensang Town on February 21.

Shah, who is also the Union Minister of Cooperation and a senior BJP leader, further claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in seven to eight years has done many works for the North-East region and there is 70% less in violence in region while civilian deaths were down by 83%.

In the intervening period, Modi had visited the NE for 50 times, a first for the nation’s Prime Minster, he highlighted. 

Vows ‘new wave of development’ in Eastern Nagaland
Meanwhile, touching on the demand for the Frontier Nagaland State by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), Shah expressed his happiness to the former for withdrawing its resolution to abstain from forthcoming assembly elections on February 27 and said an agreement would be signed after the assembly elections.

 “I have spoken with the ENPO leaders through Home Ministry of India and we have reach with an agreement, due to election we are unable to give an actual form to it,” he said, which would be finalised after election. 

‘I am leaving this word to you, after the election, the proposals put forward by the ENPO will be discussed in the Home Ministry and a deal will be made, which will bring a new wave of development in the Eastern Nagaland,’ he added. 

“Your rights will be given”
Shah also regretted that he was unable to convey the public gathering in their local languages but maintained that the parents should teach their children about their languages.

He also noted that there were violence and disturbances in the ENPO region prior to 2014 but there is a considerable shift under the Modi government and there is “peace and development” in Nagaland. 

Along with these, the Naga culture and tradition will be preserved, he maintained. 

No confusion on alliance 
Shah also debunked claims the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is supporting candidates from other parties, against its pre-alliance partner NDPP Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.

“There is no truth in that,” he asserted, on ‘confusion’ over supporting other parties and asserted that NDPP-BJP alliance will retain power.

Also addressing the rally, Chief Minister and NDPP leader, Neiphiu Rio acknowledged Shah for his visit to the ENPO area and termed it as a ‘sign of love.’ 

He further mentioned that the Naga issue will be solved under Prime Minister Modi and expressed appreciation of the ‘sincerity and commitment’ of the Government of India to address the issue of Naga solution and ENPO demand.

The ENPO area will improve once candidates from BJP and NDPP are elected and it would bring development “hand in hand with your support,” Rio concluded.

Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, Deputy in his speech noted it is for the first time country history that a Union Home Minister is visiting the Eastern region and the public should ‘keep this in mind’.

Campaign mode
Meanwhile, on a campaign mode, Shah highlighted various initiatives done by both the Central and State Government for Nagaland. 

A total of Rs 4800 crore have been allocated for Nagaland in 2022-23, which is a huge increase from the 2009-10 Congress rule when the allocation was Rs 1300 crore, he maintained. 

“From the year 2015 till now, 53 large infrastructure projects have been completed in Nagaland alone and 142 projects are in the pipeline,” he highlighted. 

Shah also maintained that 14 lakh population of Nagaland are receiving 5 kilos of free rice per month under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana while 2.18 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Jal Jeevan Yojana have received free water connection.
Achievements under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Swaach Bharat Mission, PM Awaaz Yojana etc were highlighted. 

“If the BJP-NDPP government is formed then I assure you that under the free health care mission the benefit will be increased to 10 lakh rupees from 5 lakh rupees every year, Shah added. 

Earlier, the invocation was pronounced by Imsunjungba, Pastor, Sangtam Baptist Church, Tuensang and after which candidates from BJP and NDPP were introduced. 

‘Naga peace talks will be successful’

Kohima, February 21 (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has continued the Naga peace talks, adding it will be a successful one.

Addressing an election rally in Tuensang, the Home Minister said that the Narendra Modi government has taken forward both peace and development in Nagaland.

“Naga peace talks are going on. What PM Modi has started will be successful, and Naga culture, language, attire, tradition and history would be protected and developed in the coming days,” he told the gathering.