Naga Hoho (NH) has demanded a judicial investigation immediately into the atrocities committed by Indian security forces on innocent Naga villagers at Oting village and Mon town on December 4 and 5 and book the culprits.
In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi, hoho president HK Zhimomi and general secretary K Elu Ndang also urged that government of India to make its position clear on Indo-Naga political issue instead of orchestrating “devilish policies” against Naga people.
Expressing their sorrow at the atrocities committed by the security forces on the innocent Naga villagers, they accused “Friends of Hill People” Assam Rifles of once again terrorising the public beyond imagination. They pointed out that this was not an isolated incident and Naga people had been repeatedly humiliated and insulted without recognising their right to life.
Regretting the callous attitude of the Centre towards repeal of the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from Naga areas despite repeated appeals by Naga civil society and human rights activists, they pointed out that Naga Hoho alone had submitted various representations and issued press statements not less than 20 times in the past for repealing AFSPA.
In return, they lamented that successive governments in Delhi, irrespective of political affiliations, always remained a mute spectator ever since the enactment of the draconian law.
They asserted that there was no space for such draconian laws in any civilised society and did not expect it from the largest democratic country. They also pointed out that the Nagas’ struggle for self-determination could not be equated with “terrorism” or “secessionism” as government of India had recognised the uniqueness of Naga political history and the universal principle that in a democracy, sovereignty lay with the people.
Over and above, both government of India and Naga people agreed to a settlement by respecting the wishes of the people sharing sovereign power and to establish a new relationship for an enduring and lasting relationship between government of India and the Nagas, they pointed out.
The memorandum emphasised that leaders from mainland India must know that the Indian Army had been terrorising Naga people for more than six decades now.
Mentioning that children and students were no exception in the eyes of the Indian Army, the memorandum alleged that school-going students were mercilessly shot dead and innocent students and public tortured by Assam Rifles in the past.
Noting that political negotiation was on between government of India and Naga people and various agreements had been signed with Naga political groups (NPGs), the hoho leaders cautioned that as there was a peaceful atmosphere in Naga areas now, any policy that spoilt the atmosphere of trust and confidence would be dear. They therefore demanded that the AFSPA must be summarily repealed from “our land”.