Kohima, Dec 26: Responding a strong demand from the Nagaland government, all political parties and Civil Society Organisations (CSO), a committee has been formed to suggest to withdraw of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from the state and the panel would submit its report to the government within 45 days, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Sunday.
The Chief Minister said that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland on December 23 in New Delhi and the decision about formation of the committee was taken in the meeting.
The committee, headed by Additional Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, North East, would submit its report within 45 days and withdrawal of Disturbed Area and AFSPA from Nagaland would be based on the recommendations of the committee.
Nagaland Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (Nagaland) and a senior official of the CRPF are the other members of the committee.
The committee was formed following the vociferous demand to repeal the AFSPA from the entire northeastern region after the killing of 14 civilians by armed forces personnel due to “mistaken identity” at Oting in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4 and 5.
According to the Nagaland Chief Minister, a Court of Enquiry would initiate disciplinary proceedings against the army unit and army personnel, who are directly involved in the Oting incident and action would be taken immediately on the basis of fair enquiry.
The identified persons who would face the enquiry will be placed under suspension with immediate effect.
The December 23 meeting also decided that the state Government would provide government jobs to the next of kin of the slain people.
“To initiate this process, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Mon district, would carry out necessary procedures in consultation with the concemed village councils and government jobs would be given on compassionate grounds on the basis of eligibility.”
“A Nagaland delegation led by the Chief Minister impressed upon the Union Home Minister to replace the Assam Rifles unit in Mon district with immediate effect,” an official statement said.
It said that the state government appeals to all sections to remain calm and to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
“The democratic and peaceful nature of the civil society groups, ‘tribal hohos’ and mass based organisations in our collective quest for justice and truth has been well received and has created a positive image of the Naga people to the rest of the global community,” the statement added.
Nagaland Chief Minister, thanking the Union Home Minister, on Sunday tweeted: “Grateful to Amit Shah ji for taking up the matter with utmost seriousness. The State Govt. appeals to all sections to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.”
Briefed the media with regard to the meeting chaired by Hon’ble @HMOIndia Shri @AmitShah on Dec’ 23, 2021 in New Delhi. Grateful to Amit Shah ji for taking up the matter with utmost seriousness. The State Govt. appeals to all sections to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere pic.twitter.com/a8CLuw3MM6
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) December 26, 2021
In the December 23 meeting, besides Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislature Party leader T.R. Zeliang were also present.
The Nagaland Assembly, in its special session on December 20, 2021, unanimously passed a resolution demanding the Centre to repeal the AFSPA from the entire Northeast region, and specifically from Nagaland, so as to strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement to the Naga political issue.
All major political parties including Congress, CPI-M, CPI, Trinamool Congress, Naga People’s Front (NPF), influential Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), National People’s Party (NPP), Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and almost all local and regional parties have been demanding to repeal the AFSPA.
The NPP, NPF, IPFT and NDPP are the ruling allies of the BJP in Meghalaya,Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur.
The BJP leaders in Nagaland also strongly demanded to lift the AFSPA from the state.
The AFSPA, which allows the Army and other central para-military forces to conduct raids, operations, arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant, is in force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur barring the Imphal municipal council area and certain districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
