Kohima: Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body in Nagaland,chas urged the federal government to repeal a law that gives unbridled powers to security forces under the pretext of taming insurgency.
The media cell of Naga Hoho has expressed anguish over, what it termed as, the “callous” attitude of the federal government toward the demand to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA).
It said several Naga civil societies and human rights activists have demanded several times to remove the draconian law from the northeast in general and Naga areas in particular.
“In return, the successive governments irrespective of political parties in Delhi always decide to remain a mute spectator ever since the enactment of the draconian laws,” a release issued by media said on Wednesday.
Pointing out that “there is peaceful atmosphere in Naga areas as of now,” the apex body said, any policy that harms the atmosphere of trust and confidence “would be dear to all stakeholders.“
It said that both the federal government and the Naga people have agreed to a settlement for respecting the wishes of the people for sharing sovereign power and to establish a lasting relationship between the government and the Nagas.
“We make this statement in the background that, there is an ongoing political negotiation and peace process between the government of India and the Naga people which can be testified by the signing of Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015,” the statement said.
It further added that Naga people were surprised when the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh reportedly declared its support for extension and continuation of AFSPA in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir regions. “The Centre should plan for phase-wise extensive training of state police. Till then, the Army may be deployed, and they should remain armed with AFSPA,” read an editorial piece in the weekly Organiser.
The Naga’s struggle for self determination cannot be equated with “terrorism” with the Union government recognising the uniqueness of Naga political history and the universal principle that sovereignty lies with the people in a democracy, the Hoho said.
AFSPA, as a precursor to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, was used extensively before and during the Emergency. These Acts protect individuals representing the state when they commit murder, as they facilitate detaining, harassing and killing civilians based on mere suspicion of personnel in the forces.