Civil society organisations in Nagaland have denounced the Centre’s decision to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.
Amid the growing clamour for the repeal of AFSPA from Northeast, Centre has extended the ‘draconian’ Act in Nagaland for another six months with effect from Thursday.
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The Centre said that the area comprising the “whole of the State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition”.
Naga organisations have termed the Centre’s decision as “unacceptable” and as an attempt to “suppress Nagas for generations to come”.
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“Government of India has ignored the wishes of the Naga People. Naga people will not accept it,” said Naga Hoho general secretary Elu Ndang.
He added: “As long as the Army is empowered to shoot and kill innocent people, there cannot be a peaceful environment.”
Meanwhile, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has called for a meeting to discuss the issue of extension of AFSPA in the state.
Convenor of Global Naga Forum – Chuba Ozukum said: “GoI’s intention is not to settle the political problem. They want to suppress our people for generations to come.”
Also read: Centre extends AFSPA in Nagaland for six more months from today
Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) advisor Rosemary Dzuvichu while lamenting the extension said: “The measure amounts to challenging the Nagas.”
Notably, Centre’s decision to extend AFSPA in Nagaland comes just days after the Centre formed a seven-member panel to examine possibilities of withdrawing AFSPA from Nagaland.
The Centre has asked the panel to submit its report within three months.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Northeast India Division, in an order on December 26, stated that “In order to review AFSPA in Nagaland a committee is constituted.”