Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, July 26:
The protest against the enforcement of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Area Act (DAA) is slowly gaining momentum in Nagaland, reports NNN.
On Monday the Naga Students� Federation (NSF) held a sit-in stir outside Raj Bhavan, Kohima and later submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland.
The NSF cautioned it would resort to Manipur-type agitation in the event of Government�s failure to pay any attention to its demand for removal of all draconian laws including AFSPA and DAA from Naga areas.
On Monday, thousand of students from four colleges including Arts College, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, Modern College and Baptist College participated in the sit-demonstration holding placards with messages "Extension of DAA and AFSPA the worst decision ever", "Don�t force DAA and AFSPA upon the Nagas", "We shall overcome very soon" etc.
It may be mentioned that the Government of India last week extended both the Acts in Nagaland for another year despite the recommendation made by the State Government to the Centre not to extend them.The memorandum was submitted to a Deputy Secretary in Raj Bhavan in absence of the Governor, who was attending a function in Dimapur, by four members � NSF vice president K Elu Ndang, general secretary Neizokhotuo Belho, Angami Students� Union (ASU) president Kezhazier Angami and its general secretary Rokuoketou Sechu.
In its memorandum, the NSF said it has been in the forefront of the demand for repeal of AFSPA as amended in 1972 for a long time.
"It is an issue that cuts across every section of Naga society and amongst different people under this Draconian Act", the memorandum stated The NSF in the memorandum said even after stagin of several peaceful and democratic protests demanding repeal of the Acts, there has been no response from the authorities concerned.
"It has been the practice of authorities concerned to reject and neglect without any qualms the general wishes of the people", the federation regretted.
The federation flayed Government of India for its "callous attitude" in extending Disturbed Area Act in Nagaland in spite of the recommendation made by the state government.
"This can only mean that the Government of India has decided to continue with the policy of repression which is providing absolute impunity to the Indian security forces", they memo stated.
Reaffirming its position for peaceful agitation, the federation said it would pursue the mater with all efforts unless the Act was repealed once for all.
Meanwhile, the NSF informed it would hoist black flags in its office complex on July 27, as directed by North East Students� Organization.