DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 30 (MExN): The Konyak civil society organizations today said that the Government of India extending AFSPA in Nagaland is “a calculated sign that undermines human dignity and value while the Konyaks are crying for justice.”
A joint statement from the KU, KNSK and KSU while maintaining that the “integrity of the nation cannot be achieved without people’s support and confidence,” said that the extension of AFSPA is an act which is directly aimed at creating confusing and hurting the Konyak Naga society at a time when emotions are running high.
The organizations meanwhile expressed disappointment at the army inquiry team that arrived in Tiru on December 29, which they stated included personnel of the 21 Para (SF) involved in the December 4 Oting killings. "This shows total disregard of the Konyak customary practices/ institutions upheld at the highest level," the organizations said.
“We were ready to give our statement but to our utter shock they interviewed only two witnesses, did not want to speak to people who came to depose facts to them, so what was the real motive?” the Konyak organizations questioned.
“Emotions are still running very high among the locals,” they stated, and questioned “who would have taken responsibility if any untoward incident would have happened.” “Was this an army ploy to create a situation to provoke AFSPA, is it still required in Nagaland?” they further asked.
The organizations stated that this “half hearted attempts to finish the inquiry at the earliest shows their insincerity and lack of empathy or remorse.” They accused the military of “merely doing lip service by reaching the spot.”
“Unless and until there is a serious effort and desire to reach out to the people, who have been hurt by their actions, there can never be peace and harmony. And AFSPA is definitely not the solution to this disharmony,” the organizations asserted.
The organizations reiterated its demands placed in its 4 point charters of demand, and said that they have resolved to place their entire faith and responsibilities upon the State Government in voicing/bringing justice as demanded by the people. “Improvement or deterioration of the current/prevailing situation solely lies upon the seriousness of the State Government,” they said.
