ANSAM denounces AFSPA in Naga areas
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, October 03 2023:
All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has condemned the government of India's continued arbitrary imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), notably in Naga homeland.
According to a press communique issued by ANSAM information & publicity, the extension of AFSPA to the entire state of Manipur as disturbed areas, excluding 19 police stations in Imphal valley, for another six months with effect from October 1,2023 under the pretext of "Law and Order" while there is relative peace in Naga areas unlike other parts of the state, is very unfortunate and highly questionable.
While opposing the extension of AFSPA, in Naga homeland, ANSAM stated that, ever since promulgation of the infamous act, Naga people have been experiencing undeclared war, with the Indian Army terrorising innocent Naga villagers, including women and children.
The Naga people have suffered greatly as a result of the brutalities unleashed by Indian security personnel with impunity under power sanctioned by the draconian Act.
Under the guise of maintaining law and order, innocent Naga people were used as a soft target.
The act is not simply brutalization of security forces, but legitimization of violence which is draconian in nature, anti-people in spirit and a gross violation of human rights, it said, adding that such devilish law should not have any place in the present modern era.
The Nagas are peace-loving people who have been maintaining peace and harmony throughout the Naga Homeland since the signing of the Indo-Naga Ceasefire in 1997, which paved the way for the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 between the Government of India (GoI) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
Recognising the unique history and situations of the Nagas, both entities have committed to begin a new relationship based on sharing of Sovereign Power, but the blatant and continuous imposition of AFSPA in Naga homeland undermines the spirit of the Indo-Naga peace process, which is at the highest level, and reflects the GoI's insincerity in resolving the Southeast Asia's longest political issues, it continued.
The association then called on the Government of India, as the world s largest democracy, to uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and human rights by repealing the contentious AFSPA, 1958, and bringing the Indo-Naga peace talks to a logical conclusion in the true spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement recognising the Naga flag, constitution, and integration as inalienable rights of the Nagas, to usher in an enduring peace in the northeast region.