Army Chief General M M Naravane. (PTI File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 20
Indian Army Chief, General MM Naravane has said that he would be “most happy” if the Army was relieved of policing duties in ‘disturbed areas.’
In an interview with the Editor in Chief of Times Now, Rahul Shivshankar, the Army Chief said that the argument on repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) needs a different approach, wherein the Disturbed Areas status of states needs to change.
Citing the case of Tripura, where the AFSPA was repealed in 2015, Naravane said that repealing AFSPA from Nagaland is a decision of the State and Central Governments. He added that he would be “most happy” if the Army is relieved from its policing duties in disturbed areas so that it can focus on its primary role of fighting a conventional war.
"We (Army) are only the instruments in implementing AFSPA. I will be most happy if a call (to repeal AFSPA) is taken as the Army can focus on the conventional role of the Army," Naravane said in the interview.
These comments come as the Government of India has set up a committee to study the repeal of the act from Nagaland, following the December 4 and 5 killings in Mon district. Following the killings, the demand for repeal of the act from Nagaland grew by proportions.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) had on December 20, 2021 unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the Government of India repeal AFSPA from the North East, and specifically from Nagaland, so as to strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement to the Naga political issue.
The Army Chief meanwhile reiterated that a thorough inquiry has been conducted to ensure that justice is delivered to all the affected parties of the Mon killings.
It may be noted that he had, on January 12, said that the Court of Inquiry report on the incident is expected in a few days. While the State Government’s SIT has submitted its preliminary report on the incident, the Army’s report is awaited.
