Dimapur, December 13 (MExN): Sovima Village Council today paid tribute to the victims of the December 4 incident at Oting village by observing a two-minute silence in their memory before holding its year-ending general meeting.
According to a press release from the Council Secretary, SVC Chairperson Sebastian Zumvü lamented provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, provides more safeguards to animals than the provisions of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 gives to citizens of the country.
“AFSPA was enacted in 1958 specifically for the then Naga Hills under Assam. But now, the situation prevailing in the entire Northeast has drastically improved and is vastly different than 60 years back, and there is no sense why this draconian law should be continued,” the release quoted Zumvü as saying. He also viewed that the Act should be amended to make it “more humane.”
Lamenting that a young soldier had to sacrifice his life in the incident while performing his duties, he further stated that the “silver lining of the unfortunately episode is that it has garnered massive support for repealing of the infamous AFSPA from a wide spectrum of the people all over the country.”
“But the most effective way to repeal the Act, or to amend it to make it more humane, would be to bring an early solution to the protracted Naga political problem without any further delay,” he opined.
Continuance of such archaic laws shall do greatest disservice to the unity and emotional integrity of the country since dastardly actions perpetrated under the guise of illogical laws will definitely alienate vast sections of the citizens of this great country, he added.
