- DIMAPUR — The
Pochury Students' Union (PSU) has vehemently condemned extension of the Amed
Forces (Special Powers) Act,1958 (AFSPA) in various districts and police
station jurisdictions across Nagaland.
- An update from the union stated that the notification, which
categorically included Meluri district under the purview of a "Disturbed
Area" for a six-month period effective from April 1, 2025, was unjust,
arbitrary and detrimental to the peace and progress of the region.
- The union reiterated its firm stand against AFSPA and
reaffirmed its decision not to extend cooperation of any kind to the Indian
armed or paramilitary forces saying that “the extension of this draconian law
is not only a blatant disregard of the ground realities but also an insult to
the collective efforts of the people of Nagaland, particularly in the peaceful
Meluri region, who have been working tirelessly to foster stability, harmony
and development.”
Also read: Naga Students’ Federation repeats call to boycott events with armed forces until AFSPA is repealed
- It stated that the extension of this Act only revives past
wounds and threatened to derail the path of peaceful coexistence and
community-led progress that Meluri has steadily pursued. It added that the Act
stigmatises the region and fuels mistrust between the civilians and security
forces, undermining the basic tenets of democracy and justice.
- “Meluri district, already grappling with developmental
challenges due to its remoteness and
poor connectivity, does not deserve further alienation through the
militarisation of civilian spaces. The Act not only hampers socio-economic
development but also discourages youth engagement, education and tourism-all of
which are critical for the growth of a frontier district like Meluri,” the
union stated.
- PSU has called upon the Government of India and the Ministry
of Home Affairs to immediately revoke the unjust notification and adopt a more
humane, just and democratic approach towards addressing issues in the
Northeast.
- PSU has also opposed the Government of India's decision to
scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the proposed construction of a border
fence along the Indo-Myanmar border saying that those measures threatened to
sever longstanding bonds of kinship, culture and coexistence shared by border
communities on both sides.
