Shurhovi
Dimapur
The reported raid on the residence of a very well known Public Figure, Peace Loving, God Fearing, two time aspiring NLA’s Candidate and a dedicated person like Savi Liegise allegedly by the personnel of the 32nd Assam Rifles (AR), under the supervision a Commissioned Officer, during the wee hour at 0300 – 0348 hrs on March 15, 2018, as published in the local dailies, has shocked and outraged everybody in Nagaland, especially the citizens of Dimapur. It is considered very unfortunate and also most unbecoming of a force who calls themselves as “Friends of the Hills People”.
Both Kuda Village Coucil (KVC) and Chakhro Angami Kuda Union (CAKU) have appropriately expressed their concern for the act and have also given an account of the raid. One wonders, how is it necessary to frisk the female members and the minors at such hours, wherein the reasons was given for the raid as “searching for unlicensed guns”. It is also reported that some items were found missing.
The regular misusing of the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), by the Assam Rifles (AR), so called the sentinels’ of the North East states and “Friends of the Hills People”, especially deployed in Manipur and Nagaland, were reported very often. The public agitations, rallies and memorandums undertaken or submitted to the authorities and the Jeeven Reddy Committee recommended to repeal the Act, but all were unfortunately ignored and rejected categorically, in the name of the protection of the security forces.
The Act was enacted in the disturbed areas of Jammu & Kashmir and the North East. Therefore, the Act may have been necessitated in the state of Nagaland during the 50s- mid 90s, but in the present scenario, since the mid 90s, wherein the peace talk between GOI and NSCN (IM) began, the situation in Nagaland have been as peaceful as any other places, one may say it is better than many places. Then it is also stated that there are clauses and provisions under the Act, to be observed, followed and adhered to. Besides the aspect of regular coordinating with the local Civil Authority are absent on such occasions (raids). The AR authority is requested to please look into the matter and take appropriate remedial actions. It is opined that regular coordination of Civil Authority, Police and the AR would go a long way to address such situations. The proposal under consideration to make AFSPA more operationally humane is welcome and hope it will be operated “humanely and judiciously in letter”.
