NEFIS decries 'occupation' of Ukhrul villages
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 19 2022:
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has strongly criticised the occupation of nine villages in Ukhrul district by the armed security forces in recent days.
In a release, NEFIS member Thokchom Yaiphalembi Chanu said that the occupation of the villages has been done without the consent of Naga village councils and Tangkhul people, who are the inhabitants of the occupied land.
As per reports, the Armed Forces have occupied public spaces such as playgrounds, schools, children's homes, and community halls, converted them into camps, thereby hindering their usual functioning.
Moreover, even private properties have been occupied and security posts set up in villages while inhabitants of the occupied villages are being subjected to daily harassment.
The occupation of lands in the nine villages is contrary to the Constitutional provisions and exposes utter disregard for the rights of people in the North-East, it alleged.
NEFIS continued that such incidents of occupation of lands and harassment of civilians have been a regular feature in the NE region with the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.It also contended that the impunity enjoyed by the Armed Forces under AFSPA is being taken undue advantage to strike terror among the population of the region, and thus, people are forced to live in constant fear for their lives.
In this context, killing of coalmine workers in Oting village of Mon district in Nagaland is illustrative.
Even though the central government had expressed its regret after the killings the perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice, it added.
NEFIS stands for protecting the democratic rights of the people and demands that the central government ensure that the Armed Forces immediately vacate the villages which have been occupied, the member said and demanded that no decision concerning the people in the NE be taken without the consent of the people involved.
NEFIS also called for demilitarisation of the region and immediate repeal of the draconian law, AFSPA and cautioned that would intensify its campaign against militarisation in the NE in the coming days.