AFSPA was enacted in Nagaland in 1958. It has been almost 58 years that we……the Nagas, have witnessed Indian Army function in our State under this Act. Off-late, there has been quite a lot of clamour regarding AFSPA in Nagaland with a strong demand to repeal it. The contentious Act has been branded as ‘draconian’ and ‘against the ethos of human rights’. Almost every Stakeholder in the State has criticized AFSPA and has called for its immediate revocation. The reasons cited – return of peace in Nagaland, recognition by the Indian Govt about our ‘unique status’ and positive talks for settlement of Naga issues under Framework Agreement. The revocation of AFSPA by Tripura after 18 years, in June last year, has fuelled our demands for a similar action.
First lets see why AFSPA has been revoked in Tripura after twenty seven years of insurgency? For 18 years, no armed group exists in Tripura. They have either surrendered or been eliminated and political setup in the State has been very effective under its Chief Minister. With peace and stability, the State machinery is now dealing with whatever is left. In addition, all Camps of Tripura based Groups in Bangladesh have been closed. Extortion has been eradicated in the State and there are no underground demands made to the general public or Govt officials. A premise for enactment of AFSPA, is that the State (or part of it) has to be declared ‘disturbed’. Prerogative for the same is with the State Govt. When a State feels that unrest has become ‘warlike’ and beyond control of local security forces, it approaches the Centre for assistance. The Centre, before deployment of Para-Military Forces or the Army, invokes AFSPA. Contents of the Act legitimizes presence and actions of Central Forces to control internal disturbances. Often the Act has been criticized as ‘harsh’, ’colonial’ and is believed to have been misused by the Army.
Now let us examine our State - Nagaland. Have Underground Camps closed in Nagaland? Infact, they are mushrooming. Have acts of violence by NSCN (K) cadres vanished? No, they are planning more attacks. Have their camps in Myanmar closed? No, they have not. Have the ‘Factions’ stopped exploiting the people of Nagaland for unabated taxation? No, it is only increasing with increase in the number of factions. Is our Police upto meeting these challenges? No, they are not. Is the present or past political set-up devoid of underground support? Sadly, No.
Whatever hatred we Nagas can austere for Security Forces, but its only them who are catching the tax collector - regardless of factional affiliation, they are the one who are catching unlicensed arms and drug smugglers. All my friends of Naga Hoho or NSF who want these Security Forces to go back to barracks – are they doing something to check this menace? Mere lectures and baseless desires cannot resolve these issues plaguing our Naga society. Moreover, is our State police in a position to deal with the sophisticated weaponry of the factions?
Given the delicate peace in Nagaland and a precarious environment, no sensible Naga will desire return of violence. We have seen enough bloodshed …. Memories of anarchy are fresh. We and our children want to enjoy the fruits of this peace. I would want AFSFA to be removed, if it does not embolden other Factions and criminals and reduces undergrounds taxation. In Manipur they removed AFSFA from Imphal - see the result now - it is a stronghold of every faction and criminal activity has increased many folds as statics speak for themselves. We want that anarchy in our cities? I really don’t know?
