Kohima: Hundreds of Nagas took part in a two-day 70-km-long walkathon from the commercial hub of Dimapur to here that concluded on Tuesday demanding the repeal of AFSPA from Nagaland and justice for the 14 civilians killed by security forces in Mon district.
They submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Defence ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh through Nagaland Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi appealing for immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act also from the northeast in toto.
AFSPA aims to facilitate Indian army in countering insurgency. It was initially aimed to counter Naga insurgency, while it was extended to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
Subsequently, the law also undergone several amendments. At present, AFSPA is being promulgated in Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Fear of persecution make it difficult for military to carry-out counter insurgency operations.
It will definitely create confusion in forces whether they should carry-out operation or not. AFSPA enables armed forces to practice the bona fide duties to eradicate the insurgency and anti-national elements from disturbed area of Northeast. In last two decades, 1152 security forces personnel, 5973 insurgents and 4265 people lost their lives in this region. Keeping in view the 13 Nov 21, ambush on Assam rifles in which Commanding Officer of 27 Assam Rifles with his family and 4 soldiers were killed.
Communal violence in Tripura and Law & order situation in Meghalaya after Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council General Secretary was encountered. It adds to the importance of AFSPA in North East India. Indian armed forces seek the ability to carry out operation to counter the threats to state as well as national security.
Also, the forces do not have any personal animosity with the people of Northeast. It is the administration which enables them to carry counter insurgency operation in liaison with local LEAs and intelligence agencies. AFSPA is not just black and white and not as simple as it seems. Northeast is now experiencing new wave of development, state connecting bridges are being made for which state of trust on armed forces is necessary and repealing AFSPA can badly affect this trust and also can repeat another Pulwama attack. Web Desk
