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Dimapur, Oct. 1 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has condemned the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, for another six month in major parts of Nagaland state, terming it as a continuous attempt by the government of India (GoI) to paint the state as a land of lawlessness and chaos.
The Union Home Ministry on Friday extended the “disturbed areas” tag under the controversial law in nine districts -- Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto – and 16 police stations in four other districts -- Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha – for six months beginning October 1, while it has been completely lifted in Tuensang, Shamator and Tseminyu districts.
The Centre has not made any changes in terms of coverage after it reduced the dusturbed areas in April this year, following the constitution of a high-level committee to examine the possibility of lifting AFSPA in Nagaland following the killing of 14 civilians in Mon district by the Indian security forces in a case of “mistaken identity”.
In a press communiqué issued on Saturday, the NSF stated that Nagaland is a beautiful state inhabited by peace-loving citizens, contrary to what it is made to look like, and that all right thinking people should condemn the excesses committed by the armed forces on the Nagas through AFSPA.
Reiterating its earlier stand that the Nagas don’t merit the draconian Act that empowers the armed forces to torture the people, the student body appealed to the central government to objectively assess the situation and repeal the controversial law once and for all from the entire Naga-inhabited areas.
It also requested the Nagas not to co-operate with the Indian armed forces “until such time the evil law is in operation”.