FILE PHOTO: Naga women at a candle light vigil in Kohima to mourn the victims of the Oting killings. The incident is a reminder of the human rights violations which have been perpetrated under AFSPA. (Photo Courtesy: Zhazho Miachieo)
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DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 30 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today said it is “aghast and affronted” at the decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to extend the Disturbed Area Act in Nagaland State for a further six months with effect from December 30, 2021.
“That this extension is an immediate aftermath of the December 23 meeting convened by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that also included Deputy CM Nagaland Y Patton and the leader of the NPF Legislature TR Zeliang wherein, the Centre instituted a committee to examine the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland, is a case of adding further insult to injury,” a press release from the NPF press bureau said.
This extension, the NPF added, is a “manifestation of the utter disregard, the Central Government has for the voices of small states, particularly in North-East India.”
The party reminded that the Nagaland CM, Deputy CM Patton and the leader of the NPF Legislature TR Zeliang had issued a signed statement in a press conference after the December 23 meeting expressing gratitude to the Union Home Minister for “taking the matter with utmost seriousness and positively responding to the voices of the people.”
“Any discerning person is made to wonder if there is any modicum of co-ordination or even communication between the Executive and Legislative branches of the Central Government,” it said.
The NPF said that the restraint and maturity shown by civil society organizations, tribe hohos and mass based organizations must be reciprocated in a positive way by repealing undemocratic legislations and oppressive laws. “The continued extension of this Act is nothing but an attempt to exploit the long suffering of the Naga people,” it added.
The December 4 killings, it noted, is still “fresh in the minds of the people with cry for justice by the whole of Naga people including the entire Northeastern region and demanded for revoking AFSPA.” At such a time, the announcement of extension of Disturbed Area Act for another six months is nothing but purely adding more salt to the already wounded injury, the NPF said.
The party reiterated its commitment to the removal of Disturbed Area Act and Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from the all the Naga area and affirmed that it shall continue to pursue all democratic means to achieve the same. The NPF asserted that it will not stay idle till the Central Government reconsiders its decision.
