Naga Students’ Federation has strongly condemned the recent decision of the Central government to extend the application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in “Naga homeland.”
In a statement, NSF president Medovi Rhi and general secretary Chumben Khuvung said the extension of AFSPA was not just a matter of legal technicalities, but represented a continued disregard for the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the Naga people.
NSF said AFSPA had long been associated with egregious human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and systemic abuse of power by the armed forces operating in the region.
The duo said the AFSPA was a draconian law that had only served to deepen the mistrust and alienation between the civilian population and security forces. NSF said the decision to extend AFSPA in Nagaland was particularly egregious given the region’s long-standing quest for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Instead of addressing the root causes of conflict and working towards a meaningful resolution, NSF lamented that the government had chosen to perpetuate a system of state-sanctioned violence and oppression.
The federation maintained that the extension of AFSPA was not only unjust, but also counterproductive to the goal of achieving lasting peace and stability in Nagaland. By empowering security forces with sweeping powers and impunity, NSF stated that the Act only served to further destabilise communities and undermine the prospects for genuine peacebuilding and reconciliation.
NSF leaders called upon the Centre to immediately revoke the extension of AFSPA in Nagaland and engage in sincere dialogue with all stakeholders to address the underlying grievances and aspirations of the Naga people.
The federation stressed that it was only through a process of inclusive and transparent dialogue that one could hope to build a future based on justice, dignity, and mutual respect.
Further, NSF urged the international community, human rights organisations, and all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with Naga people in their struggle against the oppressive regime of AFSPA.
“We will not rest until our voices are heard, our rights are respected, and our homeland is free from the shackles of militarization and oppression,” NSF declared.
Reiterating to remain steadfast in their commitment to defending the rights and interests of Naga people, NSF said they would continue to mobilise and organise until justice was served.