Mega rally in Kohima for repeal of AFSPA

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 18 (NPN) : Thousands of people took part in the mega ‘peoples’ rally’ organised by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) here on Friday to demand repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) and justice for the innocent civilians killed by security forces in Mon on December 4 and 5.

Participants mostly students were seen holding placards some of which read: “Nagas Lives matter too”, “India show your sincerity to peace”, “How many more years before you take us as people”, “Justice for Oting victims” etc. The participants walked from Old MLA Hostel junction to Raj Bhavan where the NSF president Kegwayhun Tep, peoples’ rally organising committee convener Vipopal Kintso, North East Students’ Organization (NESO) advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya and other leaders submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister of India through the governor’s office highlighting the incidents that took place in Nagaland under AFSPA.

The memorandum also raised three demands– i) immediate justice for the Oting victims and expedite delivery of justice in all cases related to excesses committed by the Indian armed forces upon Nagas, ii) immediate repeal of the draconian AFSPA and iii) expedite Naga political solution.

Earlier, addressing the gathering before the rally, NESO adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya expressed solidarity with the Nagas and also paid tributes to the Oting victims.

He said the attack on the innocent civilians was not just on the Nagas, but on all the indigenous people of the Northeast.

Bhattacharya assured that NSF was not alone in its fight against the draconian Act and nor were the Nagas at this juncture as NESO and all indigenous people from the seven States of the region were with them.

He observed that government of India behaved as if the country ended at Kolkata while neglecting the North-eastern region.

He asserted that the people of the region would not accept mere statements or inquiry by the Centre in the Oting incident unless the perpetrators were brought to justice and AFSPA repealed from the region.

Bhattacharya also demanded that Union home minister Amit Shah must withdraw his statement given in parliament.

He cautioned that government of India should not think the Nagas were alone or that the Northeast was divided because, even if the region was divided in to several States politically, the people were emotionally united. He said that the people would continue to fight until AFSPA was totally withdrawn from the region and disclosed that NESO was starting a movement in the seven States.

He asked government of India how many lives it needed before the Act was repealed and added that he was willing to be the next victim if it meant that the Act would be repealed.

In his brief remark, Angami Public Organisation vice-president Neivor Rutsa said much Naga tears had been shed under AFSPA.

He extended solidarity to NSF in its stand against the “black and savage law” in the guise of AFSPA, which he added was a blot on the largest democratic country in the world.

He asked why the law was enforced in the State or why Nagaland was declared a Disturbed Area. He wondered who was disturbing whom. Rutsa made it clear to Delhi that if it did not consider Nagas as good citizens then it should leave them alone in their own land to live in peace and serenity.

He called on everyone to come together to embark on a new journey together.

In his speech, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep said that rally was called to voice out the resentment of the Nagas’ against the draconian and oppressive AFSPA. “For so long as AFSPA continues to exist, our lives, our land and our people will always be tormented by fear and uncertainty,” he said.

He said that despite the season of light, of hope, and healing, the Indian armed forces acting on behalf of the state unleashed terror and fear in the hearts and minds of the peace-loving citizens.

Tep further said that the Centre must admit the utter failure of its intelligence agencies and publicly apologize to the Nagas for furthering their subjugation of the Nagas through its policy of militarization.

NSF demanded that the Centre immediately withdraw the atrocious AFSPA from Naga homeland and also repeal the same without any excuses whatsoever.

Speaking on behalf of Naga mothers, Prof Rosemary Dzüvichü said women in the region had borne the brunt of the inhuman acts for a long time now.

She said it was high time there was an end to all the atrocities meted out to the people in general and women in particular.

Recalling past incidents, including Oinam, Tseminyu and Pangsha where women were tortured, maimed, raped and killed, Dzüvichü said women had suffered untold miseries in the hands of the armed forces.

She said the people of the region could not afford to continue suffering like this.

She demanded withdrawal of all army camps from civilian areas so that the people could live in peace and without fear.

She called for an end to all the ill treatments and to let peace prevail in the land.

She also urged the leaders to lead the people to a path of peace, unity and justice for all.

Sharing a detailed account of Nagas under AFSPA, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) secretary general Neingolo Krome said incidents similar to Oting had taken place for many generations now.

He alleged that AFSPA had come into force after Indian Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru and Morarji Desai had openly declared their intent to exterminate the Nagas.

Citing examples of past incidents, including the public execution at Matikhru and mass rape at Yenkali in Wokha, Krome said people were tortured and killed like cattle.

He said the list of atrocities against the Nagas was too long and that the Oting incident had reopened the eyes of the people.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by rally organising committee convenor Vipopal Kintso, while Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship president Dr Kevichalie Metha invoked God’s blessings.

The Oting story was shared by Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) leader Sepikiu J Sangtam.

A solidarity message was shared by Global Naga Forum representative Chuba Ozukum, while Forum for Naga Reconciliation member Dr P Ngullie shared a people’s message.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/mega-rally-in-kohima-for-repeal-of-afspa/246874.html