Repeal AFSPA summarily : Naga Hoho

Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, Dec 7: In the aftermath of the Mon district incidents of Nagaland, the Naga Hoho has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today through the Governor of Nagaland demanding that the Government of India makes its position clear on Indo-Naga political issue “instead of orchestrating its devilish policies against the Naga people”. Further, the Naga Hoho demanded “immediate judicial investigation into the incidents and culprits be booked”.
The Naga Hoho memorandum which was made available to Newmai News Network tonight also said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) “must be summarily repealed from our land”.
The Naga Hoho, while expressing that it “is extremely saddened by the atrocities committed by the Indian security forces against the innocent Naga villagers on December 4 and 5, 2021 at Oting village and Mon Town in Nagaland,” said that the “so called ‘Friends of the Hill People’ (Assam Rifles) have once again 'terrorized' the public beyond imagination”. According to the Naga Hoho memorandum, the Mon district incidents are not isolated ones. “The Naga people have been repeatedly humiliated and insulted without recognizing our rights to life,” it added.
The Naga Hoho then expressed its anguish over the “callous attitude” of the Government of India towards the repeal of the “infamous” Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 (AFSPA) in Naga areas despite repeated appeals by Naga civil societies and human rights activists.
“You may kindly recall that Naga Hoho alone had submitted various representations and issued press statements not less than twenty times in the past for repealing of AFSPA. In return, the successive Governments irrespective of various political parties in Delhi always decided to remain a mute spectator ever since the enactment of the draconian laws,” the Naga Hoho memorandum to the Prime Minister also reminded.
It then said that there is no space for such draconian laws in any civilized society and “we do not expect it from the largest democratic country under your watch”.
The memorandum also said that the Nagas’ struggle for self-determination cannot be equated with “secessionism” as the Government of India has recognized the uniqueness of Naga political history and further recognized the universal principle that in a democracy, sovereignty lies with the people.
“Over and above, both the Government of India and the Naga people agreed to a settlement respecting the wishes of the people sharing the sovereign power and to establish a new relationship for an enduring and lasting relationship between the Government of India and the Nagas,” it added.
The Naga Hoho then claimed that leaders from "mainland India" must know that the "Indian Armies have been terrorizing the Naga people for more than six decades". It also said that children and students are no exception in the eyes of the Indian Armies.
"In the past incidences, school going students were mercilessly shot dead and innocent students and public were tortured by the Assam Rifles," the Naga Hoho memorandum to the Prime Minister alleged.
It then said, "We make this statement in the background that there is an ongoing political negotiation and peace process between the Government of India and the Naga people which can be testified by the signing of various agreements with the Naga Political Groups (NPGs)". The Naga Hoho further said that it "strongly feels that there is peaceful atmosphere in Naga areas as of now and therefore any policy that harms the atmosphere of trust and confidence would be so dear to all stakeholders and therefore, the AFSPA must be summarily repealed from our land".