State govt ‘serious’ on repeal of AFSPA: Patton

December 9, 2021 85 Views No Comment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, DEC 9 (NPN) : Nagaland deputy chief minister in-charge of the crucial home portfolio, has said the state cabinet was serious about pursuing the demand with the Centre, for repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Power)Act 1958 in Nagaland.

In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post, at his residence here Wednesday, Patton said AFSPA has become an issue of serious concern as it gave sweeping powers to the armed forces to act with impunity and then shielded them from civil courts from being held accountable for offences.

Later, Patton also visited the six persons who were injured in the Oting shooting incident and currently undergoing treatment at Faith Hospital & Institute of Medical Sciences and Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research hospital here.

Asked what other steps was taken by the state government in the aftermath of the December 4 Oting massacre, Patton said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the incident and is headed by a police officer in the rank of IGP and directed to submit its findings within a month.

He also said the state police has also filed a Suo Moto FIR against the 21 Para Commandos. In addition, Patton said the army has also ordered a parallel Court of Inquiry over the incident to be headed by an officer in the rank of Major General.

When asked to comment on the statement made by union home minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on December 6, due to intelligence failure (mistaken identity), the 21 Para unit opened fire when the vehicle “refused to stop and sped away”, Patton said the state cabinet after thorough deliberation, will release a statement on the issue.

However, one of the two injured-Sheiwang(23)- who was admitted to Assam Medical College Dibrugarh, was reported to have said that the miners in the ill-fated white Bolero pick up were neither ordered to stop (by the 21 Para unit) nor did the Bolero try to speed away. Sheiwang had said that the vehicle in which the miners were travelling was shot at without warning.

On the proposed visit to Nagaland by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Patton said the visit was to be special guest at the closing ceremony of the Hornbill Festival. Since the Hornbill Festival has already been called off, Patton said Sarma was not coming to Nagaland.

On the status of solution to the Naga political issue, Patton said the leaders of all political parties along with UDA will hold a meeting in Delhi with Core Committee for Naga Political issue to pursue early solution to the Naga political issue.

Patton visits injured persons: Interacting with the patients and their attendees, Patton wished them speedy recovery. He also expressed his sympathies by stating that they were undergoing pain and sufferings for no fault of theirs. He also handed over financial assistance to the patients.

The deputy chief minister was accompanied by commissioner of police Rothihu Tetseo and other senior police officers, Chümoukedima EAC and village council members.

Among the six injured, 41-year-old Temjun Konyak has been admitted to Faith Hospital. According to the doctors attending him, Temjun suffered pelvic fracture. They said two bullets were currently lodged in the pelvic area, for which he would have to undergo surgery after some tests and CT scan.

Phojem Konyak (35 years) has been admitted in ICU of CIHSR for severe open fracture of his right femur (thigh bone). The doctors attending him said the patient was being monitored closely to see that no further bleeding occurred.

M Tingtei (31 years M) admitted in the private ward of CIHSR suffered multiple injuries with a number of sharpnels lodged in his shoulder and back, besides an internal injury in his chest.

Atem (29 years) in the private ward CIHSR was shot at the back. The doctors said they have already removed one bullet, while another bullet was stuck very deep in the spine and removing it might cause more complications. They said the incident had triggered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the patient for which a psychologist had been assigned to help him.

Also admitted in the private ward of the same hospital, Manglei (47 years) suffered injury on his left thigh and is now reported to be in stable condition.

Doctors said Baujoi Phom (38 years) from 11 IRB, who suffered bullet injury in his right hand, was in a stable condition and would be released shortly.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/state-govt-serious-on-repeal-of-afspa-patton/246220.html