Nagaland government has communicated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the demand for the suspension of security forces involved in the Oting firing incident, compensation for the victims and the injured persons. The MHA is yet to respond.
By Imna longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that the state’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Oting massacre has completed its investigation and is now awaiting for the forensic lab report.
Rio disclosed this while addressing media persons on the sidelines of a programme at Peducha Kohima.
The chief minister however said that disclosing the details of the report on the Oting incident would require certain legal norms. The government has communicated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the demand for the suspension of security forces involved in the Oting firing incident, compensation for the victims and the injured persons. The MHA is yet to respond.
On the issue of repealing AFSPA in the State, the Nagaland chief minister said that the “demand” of the public was very “clear”. It was made known that even the state cabinet had taken its decision on repealing AFSPA and had already passed a resolution in the state assembly, said Rio.
He mentioned that during a discussion with the Union Home Minister, it was highlighted that AFSPA being a “Parliament Act” affects the whole country. It was suggested to set up a committee on the issue and while the act was in place, there would be “no army operation”, he said.
Honoured to be part of the inaugural ceremony of Western Angami 'D' Sports Assoc. 50th Anniversary Celebration. It is a momentous occasion to acknowledge the efforts and inputs of the founders and strive to be better. Best wishes and congratulations on this milestone. pic.twitter.com/Em1ysDrI3j
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) January 12, 2022
Neiphiu Rio also said that according to the recommendation, the removal of AFSPA from certain areas would be initiated after identifying the same. He said that repealing of AFSPA was a long process in the Parliament and that the process would take its own course.
Queried on the demand for upgrading Shamator into a district, Rio said that engaging a third party panel committee was a cabinet decision and the cabinet was “very clear of its decision”. He later disclosed that a consultation meeting is being scheduled on January 13 to discuss the matter.
Every country looking for peace and unity through sports: Rio
Nagaland chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that every society (country) was looking forward for “peace and unity” through sports.
Gracing the inaugural ceremony of the Western Angami ‘D’ Sports Association 50th Anniversary held at Kiruphema Ground, Peducha, as special guest, Rio said it was a momentous occasion to acknowledge the efforts and inputs of the founders and strive to be better.
According to an official bulletin, Rio while stating that the world has been badly affected during the past two years due to COVID-19 pandemic and that it has drastically changed our lives, he also said that when the state was going through the hardship of the pandemic, the state has faced another biggest tragedy in the form of Oting incident and termed it as a great loss to all the Nagas.
He said, it was disturbing to see that the state has not yet seen any lasting peace in Nagaland and to this, Rio said all are working together with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in order to bring peace in the state.
Stating that Games and sports are in the forefront for peace, the Chief Minister said the country and the nation is looking for peace and unity through sports.
He said, sportspersons have to be persistent, dedicated and disciplined in order to progress, saying that if sportspersons are committed, they will move ahead.
Maintaining that the state government is focusing in the field of sports, Rio said that the state’s initiative to form Police Sports Battalion (PSB) would tap the talented sportspersons and also enable the gifted children to get opportunity to study and get trained.
He said sportspersons have the prospect to “shoot to fame” and if one dedicates themselves, then the government is ready to support them.
Rio also added that with the late affiliation with the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), the state has missed out many platforms he however, said the state is coming up with various sports infrastructures as well as up gradation of the Regional Centre of Sports Excellence (RCSE) located in Dimapur and Kohima.
The chief Minister later pointed out that the state has always been in the limelight for its insurgency and disturbed area tag which needs to be changed by working hard and bringing laurels to the State. On the occasion, Rio also released the Jubilee Souvenir.
Earlier, Rio also unveiled the Jubilee monolith and also inaugurated the newly constructed Kiruphema Ground, Peducha.