Even as the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) is set to hold protest rally in Kohima on August 11, 2016 against imposition of Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA), the human rights activists have described AFSPA as “a subjugation of human security” and said the Act has to be removed whether or not there was peace talk.
Thursday’s proposed rally is the second rally called by the NSF against the imposition of AFSPA in the state during these two years.
Despite demands and appeals from various Naga civil society groups to repeal Disturbed Area Act (DAA), the central ministry of home affairs had extended DAA for another six months in the state citing the reason that “Nagaland is in a disturbed and dangerous condition”.
Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) secretary general, Neingulo Krome, told Nagaland Post that AFSPA has done nothing good to Nagas since it was enacted in 1958.
Krome said Nagaland government should strongly oppose the extension of DAA. He said when the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur chief minister could oppose, why Nagaland government cannot strongly oppose this Act.
Stating that all Naga rights had been taken away under AFSPA, the NPMHR secretary general said that AFSPA had no place to stay in Naga society. He added that whether peace settlement talks were on or not, AFSPA should be removed.
Vandanshan Lotha, who was the major victim of the March 5, 1995 Kohima incident, said AFSPA was not only bad for the Nagas but for all Indians. He said AFSPA should be done away, saying he did not want to see any children, civilians falling prey under AFSPA.
On March 5, 1995, following burst of tyre of a vehicle that was part of a convoy of 16 Rashtriya Rifles, the personnel claiming that the convoy had been ambushed started shooting and killed at least six civilians and injured several others.
Vandanshan Lotha, whose daughter was killed in the incident, said even if the incident has been cleared by the Justice Sen Commission by banning 16 RR battalion, the loss of a child cannot be replaced.
Meanwhile, NSF has informed that those federating units and sub-ordinate bodies that could not organise the rally would join Kohima rally. While in Southern Naga area, NSF said the rally would be spearheaded by All Naga Students’ Association Maipur (ANSAM) supported by United Naga Council and Naga Women union Manipur.
NSF’s proposed rally was a result of threat alleged meted out to a student leader of Pochury Students Union (PSU) by the Assam Rifles for observing a candle light service in memory of two innocent students killed at Wuzu firing during July 16, 2015.
This is the second rally called by the NSF protesting against the imposition of AFSPA in the state during these two years.