The Left parties in India have now joined the chorus for repeal of the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
This demand of the Left parties in India follows the killing of at least 13 civilians by security forces in a botched-up counter-insurgency operation in Mon district of Nagaland.
One more civilian also lost his life after the Assam Rifles opened fire to control an irate mob during rioting in one of their camps in Mon.
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“CPI-M strongly condemns the botched operation by the Army in Mon district of Nagaland that led to the killing of, at least, 17 civilians and one soldier,” the party said.
“The explanation given by the Army that these ghastly killings happened due to an ‘intelligence failure’ does not explain how such an ambush blunder occurred,” it said
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The CPI-M added: “A thorough investigation must be speedily conducted and the guilty punished.”
The CPI has demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident.
“The political and social turmoil that prevails in the Northeast also demands the repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)… as it is evident that AFSPA has failed in restoring normalcy in the region,” the party said.
Also read: AFSPA is draconian, should be removed: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio
Meanwhile, union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament on Monday that the Centre regrets the death of 13 civilians in the Indian Army’s counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland on Saturday that went horribly wrong.
He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would inquiry into the incident and file its report in one month.
“The situation is tense but under control,” Amit Shah said in a statement on the incident amid the opposition shouting slogan.
“The Government of India sincerely regrets this unfortunate incident in Nagaland and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives,” he said.