Dr Lorho demands repeal of AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, December 08 2021:
Outer Manipur Member of Parliament Dr Lorho S Pfoze, while conveying his condolences to the families of the victims of the Nagaland killing, has demanded that AFSPA be repealed.
Dr Lorho stated that on the eventful days of December 4-5 while the entire state of Nagaland was celebrating the nation's famous and joyous Hbrnbill Festival, terror struck at Oting, a village in Mon district, Nagaland where at least 14 innocent civilians were killed by the Para Special Forces.
All this was operated in the name of" Special Powers" as granted to the armed forces by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA), the MP said.
"Life is most precious and sacred and when 14 innocent lives were slaughtered as a result of 'mistaken identity' by the armed forces, the grief is immeasurable.
This incident has taken the nation by storm.
But the truth is, in the name of AFSPA, many more atrocities have gone unnoticed, unreported or falsely portrayed in the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh wherein, AFSPA is operational.
AFSPA has far-reaching consequences more than what is read or known.
It is often used as immunity for the armed forces to unquestionably terrorise the citizens," Lorho pointed out.
While the MP appealed to the government of India that "AFSPA should be done away with and the draconian law be repealed immediately", he said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has pulled down the image of Indian democracy to its lowest ebb.
Dr Lorho S Pfoze condemned the murder and unleash of terror at Oting and said that justice should be served.
While extending solidarity with the people, the Konyak community in particular, during these difficult times, the MP conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and shared.their pain and loss.