Morung Express News
Kohima | December 7
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that losing innocent lives as a result of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), time and again, “is not the road to peace.” He was Speaking at an official programme this evening at Sechü Zubza, Kohima, Rio termed the December 4 incident at Oting as “unfortunate” and that the AFSPA should be repealed.
While expressing lament that such a draconian law exists in the biggest democracy in the world, he said, “Cabinet decided that this should be repealed not only for Nagaland state but from the country and particularly, the Northeast because time and again because of this Act, many precious innocent civilians lives are lost. I think this is not the road to peace.”
The AFSPA is extended every six months by the Union government after taking the opinion of the state government. “Every time, the state always requests the GoI not to extend AFSPA in the state of Nagaland. However, GoI has the power to impose. So till today, it is being imposed and because of this Act, the armies without any warrant can arrest, search house or even shoot to kill, and there is no case,” he said.
When the spirit of festivity has just started to set in after battling a pandemic, Rio said the merciless gunning down of innocent civilians by “our protectors” has really dampened the spirit of the people.
Asked if the GoI would agree to the proposal of the state government to repeal AFSPA, Rio maintained that its upto the government of India, adding, “Because the law permits that they can take such a decision, but we have expressed and communicated the wish of the people to repeal the Act to the Central government.”
Further asked if the security forces were trying to hide the facts of the incident, Rio commented, “I don’t want to go into the details but we have seen the video clippings and its inhuman and a cowardly action.”
On the statement of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, he said that the Home Minister must have made the statement as briefed by the army. He added, “But one good thing is that they have admitted of the wrong judgment… and I hope that justice will be done.”
On the state government’s stand on the demands of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation and Konyak Union placed before the President of India, Rio said, “When a citizen of the state suffers or a precious innocent life is lost, it is a loss not only to the family but the whole state. We stand by them and whatever decisions they took we have given our support.”
At the same time, he said that hope should not be lost and appealed the citizens of the state for restraint and to continue maintaining peace in the state.
