Dimapur, Jan. 3 (EMN): Global Naga Forum has called the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland by the Indian government a violation of human rights, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stating that the widows, children, and parents of the innocent civilians, who were killed by security forces on December 4 and 5, were still in mourning, GNF asserted that Central government had taken ‘no moral responsibility for the murders, nor tried to remove the cause of the murders.’
“The leaders of state governments in the region, including Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur have appealed for the removal of AFSPA. The people and civil society of the region have long wanted AFSPA repealed.
“Government of India is currently in negotiation with Naga political groups for a peaceful settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem going back to the year India herself became an independent nation from British Rule.
And, your answer as Indian Prime Minister to all these is to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Nagaland?” read the statement.
GNF stated that the he would be remembered in history as the Prime Minister under whose leadership ‘India committed the 2021 Oting, Mon, massacre that disrupted our cultural Hornbill Festival and brought gloom to our joyous and peaceful Christmas celebrations; the Prime Minister who extended AFSPA, after the Oting massacre, as India’s 2022 New Year’s gift to the people of Nagaland.’
“What we have said above is all fact -- sad facts. But we still believe that as long as there’s life, there’s hope for changing course for the better in the life of individuals and for nations. We look forward to a peaceful future with government of India and in our homeland,” it said.
NDPP, NPCC denounce AFSPA extension
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) while expressing shock at the Central Government’s decision to extend the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland, it stated that notification has come as a ‘rude shock and huge disappointment’ for the people of Nagaland.
It stated that the people were ‘confidently under the impression that with the setting up of the high powered committee by the MHA to seriously examine and consider the repeal AFSPA and removal of the disturbed area coverage, there would be no orders or notifications issued till the report of the committee was final’.
NDPP has there urged that the GoI to reconsider and revoke the decision, “especially in view of the fact that there is a mass movement against the AFSPA, with the Nagaland Legislative Assembly having loudly advocated the feelings of the people through the Assembly resolution of 20th December 20201 which has been submitted to the Government of India through the Hon’ble Union Home Minister.”
“Today, Nagaland has been amongst the safest states for more than two decades and there has been no serious encounter with the security forces. The ceasefire which has been in place for the last 25 years is working and there is relative peace and tranquility. In fact, the overall law and order situation in Nagaland has been very peaceful with Nagaland having also been acknowledged as the most peaceful state at many forums.
“The only major incident that shockingly disturbed the peace was the Oting incident of 4.12.2021 which had nothing to do with insurgency or law and order. It once again brought to the forefront of attention that the AFSPA needs to be repealed and the tag of disturbed area needs to be removed. The use of the words “dangerous and disturbed” is definitely misleading and inappropriate. The concerned authorities who pass such orders from far off locations without any proper knowledge of the ground situation should wake up to present realities. The present situation is no more like what it was in the past and the concerned authorities must move out of their archaic mentalities and isolated cocoons.
NDPP also stated that the Naga people had put their trust and confidence on the assurance that the Indo-Naga talks were moving in a positive direction, and therefore the ‘Government of India must make efforts towards building confidence and strengthening that trust’.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has termed the extension order of AFSPA as ‘malafide’.
“It is a slap to Nagaland State Assembly resolution, Oting Massacre and the people of Nagaland across the World,” a statement from NPCC read.
“As we mourn with the aggrieved, we cannot appreciate, thank or clap. Hon’ble Union Home Minister had misled Parliament and the Nation in justifying the Oting massacre. Appreciating him at this junction is nothing but an insult,” it stated.
The order reads, “The Central Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary”. Justification of extension of AFSPA is in contrast to ceasefire. The question of “dangerous condition” does not arise in Ceasefire, read the statement.