The Global Naga Forum (GNF) condemned the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland.
Several quarters demanded the repeal of AFSPA from Nagaland following the killing of 14 civilians by army para-commandos at Oting area in Mon district of the Northeastern state.
“The leaders of state governments in the region, including Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur have appealed for the removal of AFSPA. The people and civil society of the region have long wanted AFSPA repealed,” the GNF said in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Centre has set up a panel to examine the possibility of the withdrawal of the controversial Act from the state.
However, on December 30, the Centre extended the AFSPA for six more months.
Family members of those who were killed are still in mourning but the “government has taken no moral responsibility for the murders, nor tried to remove the cause of the murders, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958),” GNF co-convener Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu and secretary Prof Paul Pimomo said in the letter.