AFSPA must be repealed if GoI honours peace talks: Naga Hoho

News Desk

The Naga Hoho took strong exception over the extension of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Nagaland by another six months which came into effect on December 30, 2019, “which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone on mere suspicion without prior notice”.

In a press statement on Sunday, the Naga Hoho said that the “draconian law” is not to maintain law and order in the region but to act and suppress the people. “It is only a means to terrorise and create fear among innocent people,” the Naga Hoho alleged. It also asked, “When the state has been declared peaceful, what is the necessity to impose this most unwanted law in the region?”

The Naga Hoho then stated that the imposition of AFSPA has only proved the “iron hand” of India and “militarisation” against the Naga people. The Naga Hoho then added that the past decades have “proved beyond doubt that, through this demonic law many human rights have been abused and violated the fundamental rights of its citizen by the armed forces”.

According to the Naga Hoho, this “inhuman law” has lost its relevance anymore in a civilised society and its applicability have no place in the modern world. “Therefore, this law must be repealed if the government of India truly honours the peace process and a peaceful solution to the long Indo Naga political talks,” the Naga Hoho demanded.

Nevertheless, the Naga Hoho said that it is of the view that, “we cannot fully blame the Government of India for imposition /extension of AFSPA basing on the fact that, the Government of India alone might not have acted upon without the consent or recommendation from the state government and therefore, we appeal the state government to seriously take initiative to remove this draconian law from our land.”