Clamour for repeal of the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has grown louder ever since the brutal ‘murder’ of 13 civilians by commandos of the 21 Para special forces at Oting village in Nagaland’s Mon district on December 4 in a botched counter-insurgency operation. 

Raising the issue of firing incident in Nagaland’s Mon district by security forces, that claimed the lives of 13 innocent civilians, Assam Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi has said that the draconian law – AFSPA – has been ‘misused’ on many instances. 

While speaking in the Parliament, Bordoloi said: “Many instances have taken place by misusing this Act (AFSPA). This is why it is very important that the perpetrators should be brought to justice.” 

“At the same time, an amendment to this particular act must be carried out,” Bordoloi added. 

Also read: Nagaland Civilian killings: Clamour grows for repeal of AFSPA from Northeast

He further said that the inquiry that the Nagaland government has initiated must not be an ‘eyewash’. 

“Enquiry on Nagaland killings shouldn’t be an eyewash but exemplary exercise to bring the killers in uniforms to justice,” Assam Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi said. 

While further criticising the brutal killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland, the Assam MP said: “As an Indian I hang my head in shame when some security personnel carry out such a barbaric on our own citizens.” 

“These youths were daily wage earners. They were returning home on Saturday evening to be with their families for attending the Church on Sunday morning with their family members. But they were killed,” Pradyut Bordoloi said. 

Also read: AFSPA is draconian, should be removed: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio