Our Reporter
Dimapur, Jan. 10 (EMN): Hundreds of people from different walks of life on Monday joined the “March against AFSPA”, a two-day march from Dimapur to Kohima, demanding the repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland and justice for the 14 civilians who were killed by the Indian security forces in Mon district last month.
The peaceful march, which will cover a distance of about 70 km, took off from Supermarket in Dimapur at around 6:30 am on Monday after a prayer by Dr. Allen Konyak Jamir with participants holding placards, demanding the repeal of the draconian and justice for Mon victims.
The walkathon was joined by Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), and leaders of many other civil society organisations. Women organisations from Tenyiphe-I and Konyak Nyubuh Shako Khong, Chumoukedima, also came out onto the streets in traditional attires to support the participants and provided water.
One of the co-ordinators of the event, Rukuwezo Wetsah, former president of Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur, shared that they had “come together to show their resentment and displeasure against the draconian act and also to tell the central government that the state government and police are more than capable to handle law and order situation in the state. We do not need AFSPA”.
The women chairperson of Tenyiphe-I, Seyieneinuo Angami, told Eastern Mirror that the woman organisation has come out to morally support the “March against AFSPA” even though they were unable to join the march to Kohima.
She also said that ‘they are together for the same cause’ while asking the central government to repeal AFSPA.
The organiser of the event, Kevitho Kera, said that the response of the public on the first day of the march was overwhelming. The number of participants had to be reduced due to the Covid-19 SOP guidelines issued by the government, he said.
‘What surprised us was the amount of support we received along the way as various organisations and individuals supported by providing refreshments, encouraging and cheering along the way,’ he shared.
He updated that they would proceed to Kohima on Tuesday and submit a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, a copy of which would be sent to the Centre through him.
On the memorandum, he said that it stresses on the Oting massacre, demanding justice for the victim, the guilty security forces be charged with criminal proceedings and brought under civil court, and adequate compensation to the families of the victims as well as the injured.
The memorandum also demanded complete removal of AFSPA.
“India is built on a sound principal and AFSPA is a mockery to what India is built on. And today in particular, what happened in Oting is such a shame in the history of India,” he stated.
The participants of the march will hold Monday night at Piphema and resume the walk at 6:00 am on Tuesday to the final destination, Kohima, where they will be received by the public and members of various civil bodies.
The march was accompanied by an ambulance, two-wheeler taxis, bike riders and other vehicles.
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