Stating that the Nagas have had enough of all these inhuman treatment and outrageous violence. Nothing hurts more than the Indian army’s horror of fire and blood targeting innocent civilians, the NSCN(IM) said this movie like horror of Oting massacre would never be forgotten in the years to come.
TFM Report
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has figured on NSCN(I-M)’s list of individuals and organizations from all over the world that have vehemently opposed the continuation of AFSPA.
In the special Christmas edition of its mouthpiece Nagalim Voice, NSCN(I-M) stated that the Oting massacre was an unprecedented situation that triggered quite an extraordinary outpouring of condemnation, condolence and solidarity. The clamour for repeal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 also gained new height and intensity, it added.
Listing out the names of the 393 individuals and organizations from all over the world that have vehemently opposed the continuation of AFSPA, NSCN(I-M) said they have voiced their concerns from the human rights perspective in keeping with the principles of the United Nations (UN) Universal Declarations of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 1.
The article 1 says “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” The fight for human rights, therefore, transcends international, national and state boundaries because we are all created by the same God, it stated.
Joining the clamour for repeal of AFSPA triggered by the December 4 Oting massacre of at 13 civilians by Indian armed forces, the Manipur chief minister has reportedly said that he also favoured the withdrawal of the AFSPA from the North-East, a report said.
The act, which provides impunity to the Indian armed forces to kill any person on mere suspicion has been a contentious issue in the North-East with civil society members demanding repeal of this act for decades.
According to a Hindustan Times’ report, N Biren Singh has said, “Removing AFSPA is our stand. But we need to create a better understanding with the Centre. Prior to making a decision, we need to talk, we need to discuss (with the central leaders) to reach an understanding.”
READ: Nagalim Voice December 2021
Time for AFSPA to go
In its editorial, NSCN (I-M) said that the Northeast people, particularly the Nagas, have allowed themselves to be tormented, harassed and slaughtered by the Indian security forces for too long. It also said that the Government of India used its armed forces to treat the Nagas as if they are less than human and undeserving of respect and dignity and the Indian armed forces have shown themselves bereft of human conscience.
Stating that the Nagas have had enough of all these inhuman treatment and outrageous violence. Nothing hurts more than the Indian army’s horror of fire and blood targeting innocent civilians, the NSCN(IM) said this movie like horror of Oting massacre would never be forgotten in the years to come.
Maintaining that the ghost of Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India and the brain behind the AFSPA has haunted the Nagas at the cost of Naga’s pride and dignity for too long, NSCN(I-M) said it is time for the Government of India to dump Nehru’s legacy of oppressive hatred towards the Nagas.
It recalled how General Thimmaiya of the Indian Army responded to PM Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru who banged his hand on the table with his fist shouting “What is a General for? Can’t you crush a handful of tribal rebels?” General Thimmaiya replied, “The Naga issue is not a law-and-order problem, but a political problem requiring political wisdom for a solution.”
“No doubt, the ongoing Indo-Naga political talk is a part of the political initiative. There is, however, too much leaning towards military initiative using the AFSPA. This approach needs to change,” it said.
The outfit further said it is high time the Government of India repeal AFSPA and exercise the political wisdom of giving due importance to humanity in order to heal the wounds of the Nagas in the hands of the Indian armed forces. It is time the Government of India listens to the voice of the people and thereby takes forward to process building a new chapter of relationship between the Government of India and Naga people, it added.