"Repeal 'AFSPA' From North-East": Nagaland Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution In Special Session

The Nagaland Assembly, in a special session held today, has "unanimously resolved" to demand the Government of India to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the North East, specifically from Nagaland.

The operative part of the resolution that has been moved by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reads thus:

"The Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously resolves to demand that the Government of India repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the North East, and specifically from Nagaland, so as to strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement to the Naga political issue."

It may be noted that resolution has been passed during the 10th session of the Thirteenth Nagaland Legislative assembly.

The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has vehemently condemned the massacre that took place in the Oting-Tiru Village area in Mon District on 4th December 2021 in the indiscriminate firing by the 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army in which 13 innocent people were killed, followed by the killing of one innocent person by security forces at Mon town on 5th December 2021 and injuring of 35 persons during the incidents.

It may be noted that the Act, which came into force in the context of insurgency in the Northeastern States decades ago, provides "special power" to the Armed Forces applies to the Army, the Air Force, and the Central Paramilitary forces, etc.

Read more about AFSPA: Explained : Does AFSPA Give Total Immunity To Armed Forces For Killing Civilians?

The Nagaland assembly also called for an apology from the appropriate authority, along with an assurance that justice will be delivered by applying the laws of the land upon those who perpetrated the inhuman massacre and upon those who are responsible for the incident.

Further, the House has also appealed to the citizens of Mon district, its civil societies, the citizens of the State, and mass based organizations to extend cooperation to the Government and its agencies in its collective efforts to demand justice and to restore normalcy in the interest of all the citizens.

The Assembly appreciated and supported citizens and civil society organizations in their demand for repealing of AFSPA and delivery of justice while appealing to all sections to follow democratic norms and non-violence in our collective endeavor towards the realization of peace and delivery of justice.

Importantly, underscoring that the Naga people have been crying for peace and an early solution for the long-pending Naga Political issue, the resolution passed by the assembly further states thus:

"It is of paramount importance that the people's voice is heard and respected. The House, therefore, once again appeals to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga political dialogue to bring the talks to its logical conclusion by reaching a settlement that is honorable and inclusive at the earliest."