NWU demands AFSPA scrap from Naga areas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, August 05 2024: Addressing the plight and problems being faced by innocent people especially women and children due to imposition of the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA), Naga Women's Union (NWU) demanded repeal of AFSPA from Naga inhabited areas.

According to a statement of NWU, AFSPA is for seriously disturbed areas and its imposition in Naga areas is not appropriate at this juncture as it was enacted to make better provision for suppression of disorder when normal means fail.

People living in less populated Naga villages along international border especially in Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel and other vulnerable Naga inhabited areas are facing untold suffering though Nagas are non-interference group in the current conflict between Meetei and Kuki communities.

Under the pretext of the ongoing conflict, more security personnel are being deployed than actual requirement in non-conflict zones with the construction of multi undesignated check posts and makeshift posts in the vicinity of villages and between villages.

This caused not only inconveniences to villagers but also gives mental harassment and disturbance, the NWU said adding that checking and frisking at every check post in inappropriate times caused severe inconveniences to people when they ferry commodities even for their own consumption.

The NWU statement further said that movement of security forces especially the Assam Rifles day and night deters economic activities of the border villagers apart from creating fear and insecurity to them.

Cultivation and small scale business for livelihood are main occupation of border villagers but checking and frisking at every check post disrupt normal activities of the villagers, the NWU added.

While asserting that the UN Peacekeeping Force is guided by three basic principles - consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defence, it pointed out that contrary to such rules, multiple check posts have been set up without the consent of village chiefs and chairmen.

Check posts established have been asked to remove repeatedly but refusal by security forces caused a lot of tension among village leaders.

Movement of vehicles carrying foodstuffs and economic activities for livelihood are often disturbed at the will of security forces deployed in the area, NWU maintained.

According to NWU, the union does not oppose normal deployment and duties of the armed forces but security personnel deployed in the areas especially the Assam Rifles should follow military ethics and codes of professionalism over their operational responsibilities with integrity.

It also said that commissioned, junior commissioned officers and non-commissioned security personnel should not go beyond their conformed laws while discharging their duties.

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