Moa Jamir
Should a child continue to wear the same dress that was attired in 1958 throughout life? Are Nagas still perceived to be the ‘others’ thereby perpetuating the colonial attitude of othering? What layers of justice need to be delivered regarding the Oting-Yatong killing and how serious are those at helms of affairs in enabling the same? These are some of the key questions raised during the recent two-day ‘March Against AFSPA’ from Dimapur to Kohima from January 10-11.
As reported by this newspaper, the marchers were a mixed-bag of individuals, both young and old, bound by one “common wish— a dream to live not under the shadow of a draconian law but in peace and without fear as law-abiding citizens.”
The solidarity by different entities and individuals, including vendors along the way, attest that the people share a commonality in considering the Oting and other incidents, the tragic manifestation of excesses that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 grant with impunity.
To walk uphill covering over 70 kilometres is no mean task; however, many who started the from Dimapur, completed the task without taking ‘breaks’, propelled by the desire for justice as well as the repealment of an Act, arguably ‘most draconian.’ Some marchers talked about ‘desire to live a life free of fear and armed violence’; shunning violence “in any form” as well as sharing pain and grievance with victims and families.
Addressing the media on the first day, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) spoke of different layers of justice which can be delivered without a Special Investigation Team (SIT), by just having one meeting. It included financial compensation to the families of those killed and injured in firings, suspension and booking of those involved in the gruesome incident. A layer of justice also involved fulfillment of ‘job promise’ which the Nagaland Chief Minister conveyed during the Oting funeral speech on December 6, but there was “no news” about it even after a month. A demand for making the SIT’s report available in the public domain upon submission was further cited. A huge onus lies on the State Government to take extra measures to deliver justice, an ENSF official noted, reiterating that any kind of comment, apology and clarification should come in ‘black and white.’
On the second day, as the marchers approached Kohima, the number swelled as more people joined along the way. It culminated with the submission of a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, through the Governor of Nagaland after a brief programme outside at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. The memorandum called for urgent action of the Prime Minister on the AFSPA, underscoring that “what happened last month in Oting, Mon, was not an isolated incident.”
“Among other abominable things, AFSPA has repeatedly deprived innocent civilians of their right to live, which contradicts the very concept of human rights and the reason for governments to exist in the first place,” it pointed out.
It further urged the Prime Minister to repeal AFSPA, 1958, ‘an inhuman law which violates every universal right’ in toto from the Naga homeland and the North East.
Besides bringing justice to the victims, their families, and the injured including immediate and adequate compensation, it demanded bringing the perpetrators under civil court for criminal prosecution.
At the brief programme at Raj Bhavan area in Kohima, the march was a termed historic “movement of the Naga people” while concurring that the AFSPA is a ‘mockery to the sound principle upon which India was built, including a robust constitution.’
The two-day march has sent a clear message on delivery of justice, AFSPA and a potent reminder that Nagas simply cannot be made to wear the same dress attired in 1958. Are those at the helms of affairs listening?
