NSF called protest rally against AFSPA was organised at two locations in Dimapur – one at Clock tower, organised by Dimapur Naga Students union, and the other at Agri Expo Junction, Diphupar, organised by Diphupar Naga Students Union (DNSU).
Responding to the call of NSF, around 8000 students from several colleges and schools in Dimapur converged at Clock tower, Dimapur on Thursday to protest against imposition of AFSPA and DAA.
Braving the scorching sun, students from 42 schools and college in Dimapur shouted slogan, “Repeal Armed Force Special Power Act in our land”.
Some of the students held placards that read, “AFSPA inhuman activism, repeal the AFSPA, and Indian armies leave us alone, etc”.
Earlier, the students assembled in their own schools and colleges and proceeded to the Clock tower on foot. No untoward incident was report.
Elaborate security arrangements were also deployed at various strategic locations in the event of any situation.
DNSU president, Sungkum Aier, who addressed the rally, questioned the Government of India by asking why AFSPA was imposed when all the different Naga political groups have agreed into ceasefire and agreement with the Government of India and negotiation were in progress?
He said the “draconian act” has become a big hurdle, which has “taken away our rights”, and challenged “our existence”. He urged the students to take the lead and educate the people around to build a powerful resistance movement in the state. Representatives from Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and student representative (DGC) also addressed the rally.
Addressing the rally at Agri Expo Junction, Diphupar, former NSF president and editor of Tir Yimyim, K. Temjen Jamir, asked the students if it was alright to have an Act that gave impunity to the Indian army to walk into their homes anytime, search their houses, arrest them and even kill them on mere suspicion. “No one could feel secure as long as the Act remains’” he added.
Jamir said there was not a single Naga family that has not been touched by the brutality of the Indian army under AFSPA, which was passed despite huge opposition by many parliamentarians when the bill was first introduced on August 11, 1958.
Commenting on the Naga political issue, he said the government of India has always tried to suppress the Naga spirit but never succeeded. NSF’s former president said the Centre allowing such anti-people Act to prevail despite having ceasefire agreements did not send a positive sign and rather displayed that solution might not be nearing.
Citing the example of Tripura from where AFSPA was lifted after the intervention of the state government, he opined that if Tripura could do it, so could the government of Nagaland. He asked the state government to go to Delhi and convey the message that Nagas did want to live under this Act besides rushing to the capital for more funds and to talk about peace.
Jamir also urged the student to write to the Governor and Chief Minister against the Act. Delivering presidential address, DNSU president Kumlamo Patton said draconian laws have no place in the modern civilized world and should be outrightly condemned by all the right thinking citizens.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by former speaker DNSU, Zuchamo Mozhui while associate pastor of SBCD, Benjamin Aye, invoked God’s blessing. Vote of thanks was proposed by DNSU general secretary, N.Pitovi Achumi and benediction by ABCD youth director, Talimoa Jamir.