GNF, NMA call for repeal of AFSPA
Dimapur, August 28 (MExN): The Global Naga Forum (GNF) and the Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) on August 28 responded to the recent public statement put out by the 44 Assam Rifles (AR) at Tamenglong.
The 44 AR had issued the statement seeking to clarify doubts regarding a video of the Raksha Bandhan celebration with locals in Tamenglong, Manipur which went viral earlier.
They had stated that the ritual is “observed as a symbol of duty between brothers and sisters” and added that the AR soldiers “who were missing their [biological] sisters found them among locals” in Tamenglong.
The AR had also stated that Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of mutual trust and friendship between Nagas and the Indian Armed Forces.
The third reason, it stated, was that Raksha Bandhan is a good occasion to celebrate India’s diversity and unity at the same time.
However, the GNF stated that, “The view from the other side of the Assam Rifles is different.”
“’A sense of happiness and peace’ is not what Nagas get, smell, taste, feel, and awaken to at the sight and mention of the Assam Rifles and other Indian “security forces” in our homeland,” it asserted.
Highlighting the existence of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the GNF said that “…a land where a military law like AFSPA has prevailed for so long is incontrovertible evidence in itself that the land and the people are under military occupation.”
In Tamenglong area alone, where the 44 Assam Rifles is stationed, there are 16 army camps, 3 battalions, and 13 outposts, it noted and questioned the need for such ‘heavy Indian military presence’ in a small area.
It alleged that the Indian armed forces are there not to protect the Naga women or rescue them from harm and injustice, but to “prevent Nagas from exercising our human right of self-determination. “
It also accused the Assam Rifles of demeaning the Nagas’ story of human rights and taking the high moral ground of India’s unity in diversity.
Asserting that it is not against Raksha Bandhan, the Forum said that Nagas believe in cultural diversity and do not need to be preached to about India’s cultural diversity by India and the Assam Rifles.
“We oppose the Assam Rifles’ hypocrisy. Naga women are not their sisters; they are not tools for their use as substitute sisters and false political propaganda,” it added.
Meanwhile, the GNF also expressed ‘great concern’ over the visit of the BJP National Secretary Mahila Morcha and the President, Dimapur District BJP Mahila Morcha, leading their team to the 1st MGR, North Assam Rifles for tying rakhis on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. “Through this activity, they have brought shame on Naga women, victims of rape and killings by the Indian armed forces, who will never see justice as long as the Draconian law (AFSPA) remains in force in the Naga areas,” it stated.
Calling for immediate repeal of the AFSPA, the Forum said that the Nagas do not want to celebrate Indo-Naga friendship and loyalty with the ritual of Raksha Bandhan.
“AFSPA and Raksha Bandhan are incompatible,” it concluded.
NMA condemns
Meanwhile, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) condemned the act of few Naga women, tying rakhis on Indian armed forces, the Assam Rifles personnel at Dimapur and Tamenglong during the recent Raksha Bhandan celebration.
Recounting the ‘traumatic history’ under AFSPA, the NMA said that “…it is a shame and a black day to witness our women, tying rakhis and felicitating these very armed forces, when we are yet to see justice for war crimes and human rights violations committed against our own women, children and men.”
“Whether it be a BJP political party initiated activity in Dimapur or Students Union obligations to the Assam Rifles in Tamenglong, it is unacceptable and questionable, in the continuing violations of human rights, as long as Nagas are forced to live under AFSPA in these Naga areas and without justice for the past history of human rights violations,” it asserted.
The Association also termed the press statement issued by the 44 AR as ‘unacceptable’ to Naga women and added that the Raksha Bhandan objection is not about cultural practices or religious differences. “It is about the denial of justice on war crimes against Nagas including its women and children, under the imposition of AFSPA,” it clarified.
Instead of carrying out such objectionable programmes, join Naga women and raise voices to the Government of India and Central BJP leaders for repeal of AFSPA and justice for crimes committed by the Indian armed forces including the Assam Rifles, the NMA urged the National Secretary, BJP Mahila Morcha Aienla Jamir and Avi Aomi, President, Dimapur District Mahila Morcha and their team, the said student’s Union and women in Tamenglong.
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