Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday joined his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma to call for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, days after an army operation killed 14 civilians had gone.
“Nagaland and Naga people have always opposed #AFSPA. It should be repealed. (sic),” Rio said on Twitter. His tweet came hours after Sangma demanded it.
“AFSPA provides special powers to the armed forces in areas considered to be disturbed. Sangma tweeted, “AFSPA should be repealed, of which NPP is an ally of BJP.
AFSPA is applicable in the areas falling within the eight police stations of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (except Imphal Municipal Council area), Changlang, Longding, Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh and along the Assam border. The Hynnewtrep Youth Council (HYC) also demanded that the AFSPA be withdrawn to build a peaceful Northeast.
Civil society groups, rights activists and political leaders from the northeastern region have been demanding the withdrawal of the “draconian” law for years, alleging excesses by security forces under the guise of the act.
Meghalaya Congress also supported CM Sangma, urging him to convene a meeting to consult on the issue. “We must go out to demand an immediate end to this harsh oppression on our people. Please call a consultation at the earliest,” Congress MLA Amparin Lyngdoh tweeted in response to Sangma.
Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha on Monday condemned the killing of civilians in Nagaland and demanded a fair investigation and compensation for the dead.
Condemning the incident, Lok Sabha member of Nagaland, Tokheho Yepthomi said that an unfortunate incident had happened, stating that Naga political talks are going on for 25 years and people are also eagerly waiting for the solution and said AFSPA ( The Armed Forces (Special Powers Act) has not given the armed forces the power to kill people indiscriminately.
He demanded that an inquiry be conducted and strict action should be taken against the culprits and adequate compensation be given to the families of the victims.
According to police, at least 14 civilians and a soldier were killed in anti-insurgency operations and counter-violence over the weekend in Nagaland’s Mon district.
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