Dimapur, Dec. 12 (EMN): Nagaland Goan Bura Federation (NGBF) has written to the President of India Ram Nath Kovind demanding the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Nagaland and northeast India.
In the letter dated Dec. 12, NGBF questioned the President of India whether it was ‘morally right for the draconian AFSPA to nullify the right to life of Nagas’, when Nagaland is part of the Indian democratic system.
'The lives of thousands of innocent Nagas have been extinguished during the last 65 years. It is too painful for us. How long must it go on?
'Aware of the immunity assured by AFSPA, it's killing of innocent Naga men, woman or child, drives the Naga people further and further away from the world's largest democracy. In the process, Indian Armed Forces have, more often than not, exhibited cowardice and not heroism or patriotism in Nagaland,' it read.
It also urged the President to address the unresolved questions of why the Indian security forces had ambushed and killed unarmed civilians from Mon district on Dec. 4.
It further rejected the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of the parliament, stating that it was ‘misleading and factually incorrect.’
It also appealed to Shah to retract his statement 'so that the good image of the Home Minister would be restored'.
“Government of India (G01) and the Naga armed groups have officially concluded political negotiation as on 31st October 2019. Hon'ble Prime Minister as assured us as many times that hon'able and acceptable political solution would be ensured to our people,” NGBF stated and therefore urged his office to insist on ‘heralding an enduring peaceful co-existence between GOI and Nagas’.