• A complete contradiction from GoI: NPMHR
• Proof of insincerity of central leaders: Naga Hoho
• Total violation of democratic rights: NMA
• Such hostility from the GoI: NTC
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 1
Naga civil society groups on Friday reacted strongly to the extension of the Disturb Area Act for another 6 months and termed it as an insult to the Naga people and a contradiction to the peace process and the ongoing political negotiation.
“When everybody is talking big and positive, particularly from the Government of India side on the ongoing political negotiation, this comes as a complete contradiction and goes on to show that the GoI is not sincere with the peace process,” secretary general to the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Neingulo Krome told The Morung Express on Friday.
Krome said Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and DAA have no room in the peace process and therefore the extension of the same is an insult to the intelligence of the Naga people.
He also questioned the justification for the extension of the DAA when “in fact, Nagaland is the most peaceful state in the whole of North East India at present.”
“There seem to be a contradiction between the Government of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs, there is lack of coalition between the two,” Krome noted.
Naga Hoho president Chuba Ozukum said the extension of the DAA is once again a proof of the insincerity of the top rung political leaders at the centre at a time, “when Naga people keeps on appealing for withdrawal of AFSPA and DAA, when Nagaland is enjoying a peaceful atmosphere and keeping in mind the seriousness of the peace process.”
“Such hostility from the Government of India,” Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) secretary, Information & Publicity, Theja Therieh reacted on the extension of DAA in entire Nagaland. “I don’t know in what way Nagaland is disturbed and dangerous. On one side, there is the ongoing peace process and political negotiation and on the other such hostility from the GoI.”
Therieh also asserted that there are no anti-terror activities in Nagaland, while killing, extortion and kidnapping, if considered as a justification for imposition of the Act takes place everywhere.
“We don’t need an anti-terror Act to tackle such issues, these are State law and order problem,” he maintained. The NTC secretary also pointed out that imposition of such act is one reason why North East people feel alienated and is made to believe that they are given the step motherly treatment.
Advisor to Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), Dr Rosemary Dzüvichu said it is highly questionable that the home ministry seems bent on taking contradictory stand as far as Nagaland is concerned.
“We have strongly opposed the imposition of the AFSPA and the DAA in the midst of the peace process and ongoing peace initiatives and talks. And to extend this Act for another six months proves beyond doubt the insincerity of the central government in ushering peace,” Dr Rosemary said.
As mothers and women who have borne the brunt of militarization, violence and killings through the Act, the NMA advisor condemned the undemocratic extension of the Act and urged the GoI to “help us build peace and not escalate tensions and another era of militarization for the Nagas who years for peace and an end to violence.”
“Allowing further militarization when the state is peaceful is in total violation of our democratic right to peace and security,” Dr Rosemary stated.
