Voices for repeal of AFSPA grow louder

Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 6

The Angami Public Organization (APO) today organized a candlelight vigil service here at Old MLA Hostel junction in honour of the loving Naga brethrens killed in Mon district by Indian Armed Forces and in solidarity for the unrest situation in Mon district.

On behalf of Konyak tribe, the Konyak Union Kohima president, H Angnyei Konyak expressed gratitude to every Naga for extending solidarity, concern and stood with the Konyak community.

He said that when the whole world was busy preparing for the celebration of the birth Jesus Christ-the king of peace, “the Indian army has given us this situation.”

“We demand to the Delhi that those army involved in killing of these innocent people should be declared as anti-national,” he said adding “If not, India has sent these army personnel intentionally to kill Nagas. Indian army was our enemy, is our enemy, will be our enemy, he said adding that “until these army goes away from our land, our life is not safe. We are living in the insecure world.”

He also made a humble request to Naga brothers and sisters that “Don’t be discouraged. Do not be disappointed. We will fight till the justice is delivered to us.”

APO president, Razouvotuo Chatsu said that the APO stands in solidarity with the Konyak brethren and the ENPO family in their demand for justice. “We assure you of our unconditional support and assistance. We will walk with you till justice is delivered and peace is restored,” he said.

The APO made a fervent appeal to all right thinking citizens to come together, and strongly voice out unitedly   against “the heinous and atrocious act perpetrated upon innocent civilians by the paramilitary forces.” “APO demands justice for our sons and appeals the state government to thoroughly investigate the incident and expose the truth behind heinous crime, and book the criminals as per the law. The government must ensure that justice is not denied or delayed,” he said.

APO president said that Oting massacre is also one such incident amongst many in the past, wherein the Indian paramilitary has exhibited unrestrained violence against our people, and all such atrocities are denied justice, and easily pushed under the rug because of the discriminatory Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. We must vociferously demand for the draconian act to be replaced without which, we will continue to live without basic and inherent human rights,” he said.

Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, Kohima Lotha Hoho chairman Pankathung Lotha said that the Nagas demand for removal of all Indian armed forces from Nagaland and north east “so that Nagas can live/exist like any other Indian citizens.”

“Nagas are being treated and considered second class Indian citizens and beasts by the Indian armed forces which is against the constitution of India Republic,” he said.

Strongly condemning the inhuman and barbaric act of the security forces, Kohima Ao Telongjem president Chubalepzuk demanded befitting punishment against those involved. He said security forces are meant to protect and not to terrorize the innocent citizens. The Naga blood and tears have ceaselessly flown for the past seventy years and it must be stopped as too much blood and tears have already been shed, he said. He said that the heinous crime and atrocities can no longer be tolerated in the Naga society.

Chubalepzuk demanded immediate withdrawal of AFSPA, a draconian law from Nagaland. If not, the security forces should leave the Naga people alone. “Allow us to live in peace because we are peace loving people and a free nation,” he said.

If you want to kill innocent people go back as we don’t want your protection… stop military operations in Nagaland as we want to live in peace, he said.

Kohima Sumi Hoho president Khevitho Shohe said that the incident calls for the highest form of condemnation and investigation.
If the Assam Rifles consider the neighbouring Naga villagers as their friends, they could not have initiated such inhuman act, he said, adding that the claim of Assam Rifles being “Friends of Hill people” is only mockery.

“The act has widened the already existent gap between the Naga people and the security forces,” he said.  

Demanding removal of Assam Rifles, repeal of AFSPA and no more extension of the Disturbed Area Act, he said “we do not want Indian government and its protection so let Nagas alone.”

He also called upon the Naga people to unite and stand together in the fight against the inhuman treatment against the Nagas by the security forces.

Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) advisor K Puro said AFSPA is a black law but India being one of the superpowers in the world continues to impose the draconian law.

“AFSPA is a shame for the Prime Minister and Government of India,” he said.

Terming the incident as murder and not an operation, Puro demanded withdrawal of the AFSPA with immediate effect.

Nagaland Elections & Technical Education Advisor Medo Yhokha while demanding repeal of AFSPA immediately said that the killing of innocent civilians is beyond human imagination and should be condemned in the highest terms.

Demanding that justice should be met in the interest of peace in the Naga society, Yhokha however said it should be a collective and concerted endeavor of all the Naga community to fight for repeal of AFSPA.

Yhokha also condemned the media houses in mainland India for trying to justify the action of the army without knowing the fact and without any ground reporting.

He also condemned the provocative nature of the security forces, specially the Assam Rifles for moving out of their camps during the six hour peaceful bandh called by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today.

“Don’t try to force us to go to the last century,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yhokha also appealed to the Nagas to create a conducive atmosphere for the agencies and government to focus on digging out the reality and deliver justice.

Naga Club president Kuolachalie Seyie also spoke at the programme.

 “The violent and barbaric nature of the AFSPA is evident from the fact that it empowers the Army to arrest without any warrant, or shoot and kill anyone on mere suspicion, without question and without any accountability or liability for their actions. Such a draconian law insults our dignity as human  beings and is apartheid –like with a casteist attitude towards the Naga people, and therefore should be revoked at all costs at the earliest before any more innocent citizen perishes. And till  such revocation is affected by the Government of India, the Nagas cannot feel safe in any part of the Naga homeland,” stated a copy of condemnation issued by Naga Club, which made  available at the programme.

Naga Club president Kuolachalie Seyie and general secretary KN Mhonthung Lotha stated that the AFSPA not only desecrates the sanctity of human lives, “it promotes military barbarism and insults the value of human rights and mocks the very democratic institution of India and its claim as the largest democracy in the world. It should be revoked immediately to prevent further human tragedies.”