Repeal AFSPA, makes position clear on Indo- Naga Political issue: Naga Hoho memo to PM

Dimapur, December 7 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today called immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA, 1958 and also urged the Government of India (GoI) to make its position clear on Indo-Naga Political issue.

There is an ongoing political negotiation and peace process between the GoI and the Naga people which can be testified by the signing of various Agreements with the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), it stated in a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via the Governor of Nagaland.

“Naga Hoho strongly feels that there is peaceful atmosphere in Naga areas as of now and therefore any policy that harms the atmosphere of Trust and Confidence would be so dear to all stakeholders and therefore, the AFSPA must be summarily repealed from our land,” it said.  

“The Naga Hoho with all sincerity urges the Government of India to make its position clear on Indo-Naga Political issue instead of orchestrating its devilish policies against the Naga people,” it added. 

The memorandum appended by Naga Hoho President  HK Zhimomi and General Secretary K Elu Ndang further demanded “immediate judicial investigation into the incident and culprits be booked to justice.”

The Naga Hoho memo was submitted in the backdrop “atrocities committed by the Indian security forces” resulting in death of 14 civilians in Oting and Mon on December 4 and 5 as well as many injuries.

“This is not an isolated incident and Naga people have been repeatedly humiliated and insulted without recognizing our rights to life,” it said. 

The Naga Hoho from time to time has had expressed its “anguish over the callous attitude” of GoI towards repeal of AFSPA in Naga areas despite of “repeated appeals by Naga civil societies and human rights activists,”

The Hoho alone have submitted various Representations and issued Press Statements not less than twenty times in the past for repealing of AFSPA, it maintained. 

In return, the successive Governments irrespective of various political parties in Delhi always decided to remain a mute spectator ever since the enactment of the draconian laws, it said. 

In this regard, Naga Hoho asserted that there is no space for “such draconian laws in any civilized society and do not expect it from the largest democratic country under your watch.”

“The Nagas struggle for self-determination cannot be equated with ‘Terrorism’ or ‘secessionism’ as the GOI has recognized the uniqueness of Naga political history and further recognized the universal principle that in a democracy, sovereignty lies with the people,” it underscored.

Over and above, both the GOI and the Naga people agreed to a settlement respecting the wishes of the people sharing the sovereign power and to establish a new relationship for an enduring and lasting relationship between the GOI and the Nagas, it added.