CSOs for total revocation of AFSPA in Nagaland

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 4

 

 

While the Government of India (GoI) may have made concessions to partially withdraw the contentious AFSPA in Nagaland, calls for total withdrawal has grown louder. Four days after the GoI notified scaling down the extent of the Act in the state, the Nagaland state government sat with frontline Civil Society Organisations of the state in a conclave dubbed as a consultative meeting on AFSPA on April 4. 

In a closed-door meeting, 18 Naga CSOs were invited to the meeting held at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima. They included the Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organization, Tenyimi Peoples' Organization, Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Mokokchung, Chakhesang Public Organization, Chang Khulei Setsang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Lotha Hoho, Phom People Council, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sumi Hoho, Tikhir Tribal Council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Yimkhiung Tribal Council, Konyak Union and Nagaland Zeliang People Organization.

The Konyak Union, which boycotted the meeting, did not attend.

The State Government was led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is the chairperson of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s Core Committee on the Naga Political Issue and Co-Convenor and  NPF Legislature Party Leader, TR Zeliang. 

Zeliang, speaking to news persons after the meeting, described the conclave as a “good seating” where free and frank discussions ensued. He said that while the partial lifting of the Act was welcomed, ideas were exchanged on taking forward the partial lifting. “We decided to co-operate with each other and take it forward” so that the Act is gradually withdrawn from the remaining areas and districts, he said. 

He added that the CSOs were for total repeal, however, he maintained that it will take some time and would depend on the situation. On the prospect of the GoI re-imposing the Act, he said, “If we can implement the ceasefire ground rules with our own forces, there is no question of re-imposing AFSPA in our State.” 

According to senior NPF leader, Imkong L Imchen, the State Government was happy with the Centre’s recent move but the majority of the CSOs were for total lifting. While stating that he also favours a total lifting, he said that the State Government has a “very functional role” to play in this respect. 

Besides the AFSPA, he said that bringing about a consolidated idea among the Naga tribes “so as to expedite and bring about a final conclusion” to the talks was also deliberated.  

Naga Hoho President, HK Zhimomi said of the meeting, “Everyone agreed that AFSPA should be lifted in total, even the government. There should be no reservation on this. We still continue to ask the GOI to remove it.” He added that they will be writing to the GoI.  

Neingulo Krome, NPMHR Secretary-General, said that it was obvious that partial lifting was not satisfactory to all. “The State government also said they will work towards lifting of the Act in total. "They appreciated the relaxation but for the public there were no two opinions,” he said. He held that the partial relaxation in Nagaland and retaining the Act in Naga areas in other states was an affront to human intelligence. 

“We can’t reject what has been done. It’s good that there is relaxation but it should not have been partial. It should be repealed entirely,” Krome added. 

The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police also attended the meeting. DGP John Longkumer said that his role in the meeting was to brief on the security aspects of the revocation of AFSPA.

According to him, the partial lifting is a first step and if everything goes well, it would eventually be lifted in a phased manner. He said that it is the joint responsibility of the government as well as the citizens to keep the peace “and to ensure that we do not give reason why AFSPA would be continued or re-imposed.” He added, “I agree with the GoI’s stand that we have to go about it in a cautious and phased manner so that we don’t have any hiccup along the way.” 

He disclosed that the state police had proposed to the MHA committee on AFSPA that it be revoked in the entire state, except along the Indo-Myanmar border. He expressed confidence that the Nagaland police, with the support of the people and the government, should be able to shoulder the law and order responsibility. 

During the meet, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, according to a DIPR report, stated that all stakeholders had appealed for the abolishment of the AFSPA, and the Government of India has finally heard the appeals of the people. 

On the Oting killings, the Chief Minister informed that once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report is submitted and a case is filed, the contents of the report will be made known to the public. The Centre also formed its SIT and they have also submitted their report, he added. 

He said that total abolition of AFSPA may take time but the partial AFSPA abolishment is a test. During this crucial period, he stated if law and order cannot be controlled, AFSPA may be re-instated. He appealed for co-operation with the Government to ensure that no untoward incidents occur. 

The Eastern Naga Students Federation meanwhile appealed for total justice to be delivered to all victims of the Oting incident and that the Government of Nagaland should remind the Centre in this regard. The ENSF informed that it’s non-cooperation with armed forces will continue until justice is delivered.