Chorus grows for repeal of AFSPA in Northeast after Nagaland killings

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): Following the news of the killing of civilians in Mon on December 4, political parties, Naga political groups and civil society organisations condemned the incident and called for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and justice for the deceased. 

NDPP
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), in sorrow and solidarity, directed all region offices, units and individual residences that the party flag is to be flown at half mast for the next three days.

A press release from the party said that “such random and dastardly acts by the security forces are unimaginable and unfathomable.” “When the entire State has remained peaceful, with a new hope of a permanent settlement to the Indo-Naga issue in the hearts of the people, it is most unfortunate that the armed forces, whose very duty is to serve and protect, have instead caused terror, pain and anguish to the very people they are to protect and serve,” it said.

While appreciating the setting up of a high level inquiry, the NDPP urged the government to ensure that true justice is delivered; leaving no stone unturned. It further asked the government to urgently take up the issue of repealing of AFSPA “which is unnecessary and redundant in Nagaland’s present context, with the Government of India.” It further called for ex-gratia payments to the families of those deceased and injured.

Meanwhile, the NDPP Youth Organisation also demanded that the concerned authorities take appropriate action towards the erring officers and jawans involved in the brutal killing of innocent lives and appealed to the State Government to urgently mediate in repealing AFSPA. 

NPCC
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said that “civilians are not enemies of the nation,” adding that “the massacre at Oting under Mon District only goes to tell the people of Nagaland that GOI does not consider the people of Nagaland as part of its citizenry.”

“The massacre of 13 innocent villagers is not only highhandedness by the security forces but is also a gross mishandling of security forces by the BJP led NDA govt at the centre and the BJP alliance partnered UDA government at the state,” a press release from the NPCC said.

“If the action of first killing 6 innocent civilians was a mistake, there is no explanation on the subsequent killing of 7 more civilians but that of extreme high handedness. The massacre cannot be simply brushed off as a ‘mistake,’” it said. The party demanded Rs 1 Crore each as ex gratia to the deceased and Rs 10 lakh each to the injured as compensation.

NPF 
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) said that while the Government of India and Naga political groups are in cease fire and are engaged in bringing the Naga political issue to a logical conclusion through peaceful means, “the heartless and cowardly act carried out by the Armed forces is nothing but provoking the peace loving Naga people.”

“And since the Security Forces should be functioning under the supervision of State Government when it comes to law and order situation of the state, the Government should whole heartedly deal with the situation,” a press release from the party stated.

The NPF demanded that the State Cabinet immediately take stock of the situation and institute a high level inquiry commission headed by a retired judge of the High Court, giving one-month time to submit its findings with action to be taken against the erring groups. In the meantime, the Cabinet should declare compensatory measures for the aggrieved parties. It further appealed to the Government of India to immediately remove AFSPA from Nagaland. 

NPYF
The Naga Peoples Youth Front (NPYF) also condemned the incident and appealed for immediate withdrawal of the AFSPA from the State. A press release from the NPYF Nagaland conveyed sympathies towards the Eastern Naga People and deepest condolences to the bereaved families. “May the almighty God give them solace in such sad and trying times and also wish speedy recovery to all those injured and being treated,” it said.

NPP 
The National Peoples’ Party (NPP)  demanded that the government immediately bring to book “everyone responsible for this barbarous and villainous act.” “We would also like to remind the Government of India once and for all that Nagas have had enough of the ruthlessness of the Indian Armed Forces under the shield and protection of the draconian AFSPA which has done more evil towards the innocents than bringing about anything progressive or developmental,” a press release from the party said. 

Demanding the repeal of AFSPA, the NPP further questioned the top army brass and the Central Government as to whether “this is the way that the people of Nagaland have to reap the harvest in return of the Naga son, Late Khatnei Konyak who was recently martyred in Manipur.”

It urged the Central and State Governments to immediately compensate the family members of the deceased and the injured with adequate ex-gratia amount. 

RPP
The Rising People’s Party (RPP) meanwhile expressed suspicion that “civilians were deliberately targeted,” and condemned the “insinuation of Indian media houses that the killings were collateral damage.” 

It further stated that “when such a colossal tragedy has struck us, it is inappropriate to be celebrating” and appealed to all Naga people to shun/withdraw from the Hornbill festival as a sign of respect to the departed souls. 

It demanded that State Government should declare a 7 day state mourning during which all festivities should be cancelled including the ongoing Hornbill festival. The RPP also called for all 60 MLAs to put forward a joint statement that the Mon killings are a case of murder. 

Meanwhile demanding a thorough probe by a sitting Judge of the High court/Supreme Court, it said that the army personnel involved in the killings should be tried in civilian courts. It further asked the State Government to pay adequate compensation to the bereaved families and to the injured ones. 

“With the Mon killings, the AFSPA is once again in the limelight. Perhaps it would be pertinent for the Naga negotiating groups and the Naga CSOs to first work towards the repeal of the Act,” it added. 

NNP Myanmar
The Naga National Party (NNP) from Myanmar said that it is “deeply shocked to know such a savage act” and “prayed that Almighty God grant solace to the bereaved families and eternal peace to the departed souls.” It further urged the concerned authorities and stakeholders to deliver justice to the departed souls and the concerned community at the earliest. 

NSCN (IM)
The NSCN (IM) has stated that the “absurdity and insanity of the Indian security forces has been exposed in the most brutish manner,” and termed December 4 as a “black day” for the Nagas. “The Indian security forces will never be able to wash its hands off, smeared with the blood of innocent Nagas no matter how it comes out with a nonsensical statement which is linked to credible intelligence reports of movement of insurgents,” a press release from the MIP of the NSCN (IM).

“Notwithstanding the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue that has seen much fruition during the period running more than two decades, the violence against the Nagas continues unabated. This is one of the most unfortunate incidents of the Indo-Naga ceasefire signed in 1997,” the NSCN (IM) said.

“Under this situation we find it difficult to use the right words to condemn the killing of unarmed civilians and it cannot be justified in any manner in this part of the civilized world (Nagalim) where the Indo-Naga peace process has seen much progress. Such a barbaric act of killing innocent people is against humanity and those responsible for such heinous acts should be brought to justice,” the NSCN (IM) said.

It further conveyed condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. 
  
WC, NNPGs 
The Working Committee (WC), NNPGs said that “once again the Indian military has proven to the whole world just how weak, incompetent and vulnerable it is in performing basic military duties.” 

A press release from the media cell of the WC, NNPGs said that AFSPA “has always allowed cowards within the Indian military to take inhuman, disastrous decisions at critical political and historical moments.” “The destructive Indian military tactics and actions in Naga homeland has belittled the political commitment of Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister,” it claimed. 

It cautioned that the “strategy of killing innocent Nagas to keep our hills aflame will drive the Nagas further away from India.” The WC called upon national and international human rights commissions and committees to strongly voice out against the “latest crime against humanity,” while stating that “this is not a commitment to peace.” 

It further urged the Government of India to declare an honorable and acceptable political solution to the Indo-Naga conflict to ensure all draconian laws in Naga homeland are repealed and done away with. “Solution won’t be political, neither honorable nor acceptable if our youth are murdered at will by Indian Armed Forces,” it said.  

Niki Sumi led NSCN/GPRN
The Niki Sumi led NSCN/GPRN said that “committing such atrocity on the innocent villagers at such a time when all are preparing for Christmas and also when the Naga issue with the Government of India is on the helm of conclusion is unimaginable and which must be condemned by one and all.”

“This is not the first of such incidents wherein innocent Naga public have suffered untold miseries in the hands of trigger-happy armed forces who often target poor innocent villagers to satisfy their beastly desires,” a press release from the MIP stated.

Stating that the Nagas demand justice, it urged the Government of India and Government of Nagaland to initiate proper investigation and take appropriate action “against those playing with the lives of innocent public.”

It paid homage to those who have lost their lives stating that “they will be honoured and remembered as martyrs.” 

Yung Aung led NSCN/GPRN
The Yung Aung led NSCN/GPRN while condemning the incident stated that “empowered by its draconian laws, the Indian army has long used violence against Naga civilians as a key strategy in waging war against Naga revolutionaries.” A press release from the MIP of the group said that “India’s brutal policy to subjugate the Nagas through military might cannot break the will of the Nagas to secure their inalienable right to self determination.” It meanwhile conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. 

ENNWU
The Eastern Naga National Workers Union (ENNU) of the NSCN (IM) condemned the “cowardly act” and said that “this act of atrocity towards the innocent Oting villagers under Konyak community and the Nagas in general will be remembered as a tumultuous moment in Naga history.” It reminded that the ENPO, in a joint consultative meet at Tuensang HQ had passed a resolution that there “will be no more bloodshed on Eastern soil, but, unfortunately, the so called ‘friends of the hill people,’ disguised in sheep clothing has exposed its true colour.” 

NSCN (IM) Konyak region
The Konyak Region of the NSCN (IM) said that “under no circumstances the security forces have the right to inflict upon the general masses.” A press release from the office of the Konyak Region, NSCN (IM) said that the 6 decades old AFSPA has “done nothing right rather it is an act to suppress the self self determination of the Nagas to live as a nation.” “Let this incident be the first and last in the Naga soild and together we will AFSPA from the Naga soil once and for all,” it added.

NGBF 
Appealing the Government of India to repeal the AFSPA Act, the Nagaland Gaonburah Federation stated that the government at the centre was answerable for the “heinous action on the innocent and unarmed civilians.”

NDA 
Expressing shock at the incident, the Nagaland Dobashis Association stated that “No defense explanations or excuses can justify the crime committed.” It condemned the “high-handedness of the security personnel towards humanity” and appealed the State Government to rope in the highest investigating agency to look into the incident. “The Association stand in solidarity and send its deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured,” it added.

GNF 
Mourning the loss of lives, the Global Naga Forum appealed the Governor and Chief Minister of Nagaland institute an independent, impartial investigation into the killings and find justice for the deceased victims. It also said that the Nagaland State government should convene an emergency Cabinet meeting/Assembly to recommend to the Central Government the immediate repeal of AFSPA and also urged for the remainder of the Hornbill Festival be suspended to mourn and honour the dead and to protest the killings as mourning and festival cannot go together.

NCD
The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) said that this “inhumane act of the Indian security forces leading to the killing of the villagers cannot be accepted and tolerated while peace talks is in progress with Government of India and final solution is expected in near future.” The NCD appealed to the State Government and the National Human Rights Commission, National Tribal Commission to take suo-motto case of the incident so as to deliver justice to the victims and their families. It  also appealed to the Naga public to maintain peace and tranquility in the land. 

NGA 
The Nagaland Gorkha Association vehemently condemned the incident and expressed hope that justice will be delivered to the families of those who lost their lives. NGA expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prays that peace prevails, it added.

ZYO
The Zeliang Youth Organisation (ZYO) said that the “alleged scale and gravity of these attacks mark a worrying escalation of violence.” “No cause can justify such brutality and senseless killing,” it added. The ZYO urged all communities and groups to reject violence, adding that “after years of insecurity and instability, it should be clear that violence is not the solution.”

Naga Club
The Naga Club stated that under AFSPA the army may shoot and kill anyone under mere suspicion “which is barbaric violence in nature and a lawless law to insult our dignity as human beings, apartheid- like casteist attitude toward the Naga people.” The people of India should be ashamed of this cowardice Act, a press release from the Naga Club stated and called for its revocation.  It further stated that the the Nagas should not partake in any festival functions organised by the State Government or Government of India “to express our deepest sorrow and sadness over the killing of innocent Naga Villagers at Oting, Mon.” 

UNC
The United Naga Council (UNC) said that “such condemnable act of terrorism caused upon the innocent villagers is in no way pardonable under any circumstances.” A press release from the UNC said that the “insane action of the security forces critically unfolded their hypocrisy to the slogan of Friends of the Hill People.” “Nagas need to rethink their intentional attitudes of cruelty and savagery behaviour. We will not be deterred by any amount of such bruits and barbarism till our political goal is achieved,” it added.

NPO 
The Naga People’s Organization (NPO), Senapati (Tahamzam) said that the incident has “created a huge vacuum of trust deficit among the civilians and the Assam Rifles.” A press release from the NPO urged the concerned authority to book and punish those responsible. “It should be ensured that impunity is not the license to kill innocent civilians while fostering peace and negotiation for the Nagas and its regions are at its pinnacle pace,” it added. 

RZC Assam
The Rengma Zeliangrong Council (RZC), Assam said that the incident is an “open violation of human rights and a mockery to the very democracy and Constitution that India claims to be for the people.” 

This is not the first time neither will it be the last of the Indian forces’ atrocities on the Naga people as long as the draconian AFPSA remains effective in Naga homelands, a press release from the council said.

“How many more lives shall we sacrifice, how long shall our people suffer in the name of law itself?” it questioned. 

Tangkhul CSOs
A joint statement from the Tangkhul Civil Society Organisations said that such incidents “only reflects the deeper pattern of routine military repression aimed at terrorising innocent Naga civilian populace under the existing Armed Forces Special Powers Act.” It reminded that “a professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting—not harming—the people it serves.” 

TCLPF 
The Tirap Changlang Longding Peoples Forum (TCLPF) called for punishment of the security personnel responsible and demanded that the matter be investigated at the highest level. It also appealed to the Government of India to provide immediate ex gratia to the next of kin of the victims and additional compensatory measures. 

KSU 
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) issued a statement standing “with the Naga brothers and sisters in their quest for justice and their undaunted fight against oppression.” “Such boldness from the end of the Indian Army to kill people with impunity in the NE region is solely due to the draconian Armed Force Special Powers Act which is more or less like a license to Indian soldiers to kill, torture or arrest anybody as per their whims and fancies,” the KSU said. It demanded that the Centre immediately revoke AFSPA and instead formulate laws to safeguard and protect the rights and existence of the indigenous inhabitants of NE India. It further opined that “military deployment and establishments in the region should be reduced to minimal in order to avert a Tatmadaw like regime present in Burma.”

BAN
The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has stated that “it is unfortunate that the intelligence of the army whom the people of India rely on can be so weak resulting in the massacre of innocent citizens.” A press release from the BAN conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with Konyak brothers and sisters during their time of grief.

DDCF
The Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) while condemning the incident said that the matter must be thoroughly investigated and justice be served. It condemned the “barbaric act of the Indian security forces,” and offered condolences to the bereaved family members. 

ZCCK
The Zeliang Co-ordination Committee, Kohima [ZCCK] said that the incident is a gross violation of basic human rights, and expressed solidarity with the Konyak community in this time of tragedy and grief. It appealed to the Government of Nagaland, that justice should be delivered to the families of the innocent victims at the earliest. It further appealed to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA from the State of Nagaland. 

Mao Council
The Mao Council Tadubi, Senapati district, Manipur termed the December 4 incident as “another episode of the many heinous crime against humanity by the Indian Paramilitary forces in the decades of Naga struggle for their political and historical rights.” The Mao Council urged the Central Government to be sincere in upholding the Framework Agreement and in respecting the Cease fire ground rules. “They must cease the double-standards of cold blooded killings of the Naga civilians on the pretext of faulty intelligence inputs,” it said. It further demanded repeal of AFSPA. 

MSU
The Mao Students Union (MSU) expressed concerned at the “vicious cycle of violence upon the civilians by the uniformed Indian armed forces.” “Their actions are extremely despicable and unacceptable; it has no place in a democratic country and absolutely contradictory to the principles and constitution of the country,” a press release from the union stated. “Our condemnation and disgust are further compounded by the existence of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the wicked power it yields,” the MSU said, adding that AFSPA is only a tool to subjugate its citizens through militarization paving way for the armed forces to massacre its citizens causing extreme fear psychosis and deny peace.