Nagaland assembly adopts resolution to ask Centre to repeal AFSPA, apology

GUWAHATI: The

Nagaland

legislative assembly in an emergent session on Monday called in the aftermath of the killings of 14 villagers by Army and Assam Rifles in Mon district on December 4 and 5, unanimously resolved to demand that the government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from northeast and specifically from Nagaland.


The

House

also called for an "apology from the appropriate authority, along with an assurance that justice will be delivered by applying the laws of the land upon those who perpetrated the inhuman massacre and those who are responsible for the incident."

The five-point resolution adopted by the house after day long dissuasion on the Oting massacre and AFSPA said that the repeal of Act will "strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement to the Naga political issue."

Deputy chief minister and BJP leader

Yanthungo Patton

initiated the discussion pertaining to "Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 in its application to Nagaland."

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and leader of the NPF legislature party, TR Zeliang including legislators who have participated have strongly condemned the draconian law AFSPA and highlighted numerous incidents of torturing, killing, raping and destruction of properties.

The assembly vehemently condemned the killings that took place in Oting-Tiru Village area in Mon district on December 4 in the indiscriminate firing by the 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army in which 13 innocent people were killed, followed by killing of one innocent person by security forces at Mon town on December 5 and injured of 35 persons during the incidents.

The House appealed to the citizens of Mon district, its civil societies, the citizens of the State and mass based organizations to extend cooperation to the government and its agencies in our collective efforts to demand justice, and to restore normalcy in the interest of all the citizens.

The House extended support to citizens and civil society organizations in their demand for repealing of AFSPA and delivery of justice, while appealing to all sections to follow democratic norms and non-violence in our collective endeavor towards realization of peace and delivery of justice.

"The Naga people have been crying for peace and an early solution for the long pending Naga political issue. It is of paramount importance that the people's voice is heard and respected. The House, therefore, once again appeals to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga political dialogue to bring the talks to its logical conclusion by reaching a settlement that is honorable, inclusive and exceptable, at the earliest," the house resolved.