The funeral service for the civilians killed in the Oting firing incident on December 4 was held at Mon Helipad on December 6. (Photo Courtesy: Konyak Union)
Morung Express News
Mon | December 6
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today said that the existence of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the biggest democratic country in the world, India, is being debated all over the world and called for its repeal.
Everyone is criticising the act and calling for its repeal, Rio said, addressing the funeral service held in honour of the 14 civilians killed in the Oting firing incident on December 4 and its aftermath on December 5 in Mon Hq by security forces.
The CM noted that AFSPA gives security forces power to arrest, check and gives them immunity if there is any casualty during its execution. The existence of such is being debated by ‘Human Rights Commissions’ not only Nagaland, India but across the world, he added. Rio also pointed to the challenges of the ‘Disturbed State’ tag and the prevalence of AFSPA in Nagaland.
It has been 59 years since the imposition of the Act and 25 years of ceasefire and dialogue on the Naga political issue, but the Act is not repealed, he noted. The State Government is appealing for its removal but the Act continues, he informed, further locating its continuation to the protracted Naga political issue starting from “insurgency to underground” and the Naga movement after Statehood.
He informed that whenever the State Government calls for its revocation, there is argument that it cannot be repealed as long as the Naga movement is going. Nagaland is declared as a ‘Disturbed State’ every year. We argue that everything is normal but why is it being called disturbed, he said.
To this end, Rio maintained that even though the State Cabinet writes or recommends for its discontinuation, “Delhi pura extend kuri” (Delhi extends it).”
The Chief Minister also attributed to division among Nagas as well as the continued recruitment in Naga Political Groups (NPGs) as possible reasons behind the extension.
The CM meanwhile informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was among the first to call on Sunday morning to enquire about the situation. The CM said he informed the Union Home Minister that only the security forces are creating a law and order situation. Rio said that he also spoke to the Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh and GOC 3 Corps Rangahphar, Lt Gen JP Mathew.
Rio claimed that due to his ‘bold statement,’ the Army for the first time came out with a statement acknowledging its mistake. “For the first time high level investigation is initiated by the Government of India. This will not be taken as AFSPA but action would be taken,” he added.
He assured the people that the components of the joint memorandum submitted by the KU, KNSK and KSU, which falls under the State’s prerogative will be looked into and for those under the Centre's, the State government will work towards it's fulfillment.
On coverage in the national media, Rio expressed regret that Nagaland rarely features in the news, and makes headline only for the wrong reasons.
The CM informed that during his talk with Amit Shah again on Monday, the latter announced an ex-gratia of Rs 11 Lakh and a government job to the family of each victim. He urged the Deputy Commissioner of Mon and the Konyak Union to pursue the matter without troubling the family.
The whole State is with the Konyaks and the Eastern Nagaland public Organisation (ENPO) to observe December 4 and 5 as Black Days to protest the incident, he said.
According to a DIPR report, Deputy CM, Y Patton; Ministers Metsubo Jamir, Neiba Kronu and Pangnyu Phom; legislators TR Zeliang and all the Konyak Legislators were among the thousands who attended the service.
Representatives from the Konyak legislators, ENPO, Konyak Union, KNSK, ENSF, KSU, Village Councils of Oting, Jakphang and Chi delivered speeches condemning the incident and the provisions of AFSPA.
Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the 13 civilians killed in the December 4 incident were taken to Oting village and their last rites were held on Monday evening. The deceased included 12 natives of the village and a non-Naga. The body of one victim of Sunday’s firing incident was buried in his native Chi village.
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