Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio disclosed that the 22 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Oting incident has submitted its preliminary report.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday informed that all stakeholders had appealed for “abolishment” of the “draconian law”- Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) 1958, which has been in force in the region since many decades.
While stating that the government of India (GoI) had finally heard the “appeal” of the people, Rio who along with his some of his council of ministers and advisors including UDA chairman, TR Zeliang, had a closed door meeting with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other Tribal Hoho leaders, at the consultative meet at Rhododendron Hall, Chumoukedima, he said total abolition of AFSPA might take time but the partial “AFSPA abolishment is a test.”
Mentioning that during this crucial period, if the “law and order” order situation cannot be controlled, AFSPA may be reinstated for which he appealed for cooperation with the government to ensure that “no untoward incidents” occur during the period.
He also appealed to all the stakeholders on seriously pondering on how to maintain “law and order” in the state as the Naga solution is for all the Nagas and also appealed in “harboring” a sense of unity and oneness and not to be selfish in their “demands”.
While thanking the CSOs, tribal leaders, and student bodies for always cooperating and supporting the Government, the Nagaland Chief minister further disclosed that his government has formed a 22 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Oting incident. He congratulated the members of the SIT for their prompt action in conducting investigations and submitting their preliminary report.
“Once the report is submitted and a case is filed, the contents of the report will be made known to the public”, Rio said while also supplementing that the Centre also formed its SIT and they have also submitted their report.
Earlier, Nagaland Chief Secretary, J Alam, in his welcome address acknowledged all the members and briefed them that after almost three decades, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was lifted from certain areas of Nagaland.
He informed that AFSPA has been removed completely in three districts and partially removed in four districts of Nagaland and expressed hope that further progress would be seen in the days ahead.
Nagaland Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha, said that earlier notification on AFSPA issued in December 2021 has been withdrawn and fresh notification has been issued on the same.
According to the notification issued by his office, out of the 72 Police Stations, AFSPA has been withdrawn in 15 Police Stations, and this could be seen as the “first step” toward the total abolition of AFSPA in the State.
He stated that Tribal leaders, leaders of Apex bodies, Hohos, CSOs, and Student Bodies would have to play an important role and will have to take responsibility for keeping the peace as AFSPA may be reinstated if law and order problems arise. And this he said is a “combined responsibility” of all stakeholders involved.
Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP), John Longkumer, who also spoke said that once AFSPA was removed, the responsibility of “law and order” and also maintaining “peace” would fall on the Nagaland Police.
He later informed that IRB personnel have been deployed at strategic locations in ensuring maintenance of “law and order”.
Meanwhile, the
Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) has appealed for total justice to be delivered to all victims of the Oting incident and that the government of Nagaland should remind the government of India (GOI) in this regard.
ENSF said it is still in non-cooperation with armed forces and would continue to do so until justice is delivered.
Nagaland to be the most ‘peaceful state’ if Naga Solution is resolved: TR Zeliang
Maintaining that the Nagaland government’s “close door” meeting on Monday at Chumoukedima Police complex with the CSOs, tribal hohos, and other stake holders had decided to “work and to come closer” in order to reach and find out a “middle point” where the AFSPA has to be lifted from the entire State, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman, TR Zeliang, said that most of the CSOs and the tribal hohos who attended the meet were all of the view that if the “Naga solution” is resolved then Nagaland would become the most “peaceful” State.
Stating that the decades old AFSPA has to be lifted from the whole State of Nagaland in “Toto” though the process might take longtime, Zeliang said when there’s no “arm groups”, the question of imposing AFSPA does not arise.
Highlighting that Monday’s crucial meet at the Rhododendron Hall, Chumoukedima, was convened after the government of Nagaland (GoN), made a decision to “reduce” some of the areas where AFSPA is still applicable despite the Act dragging the issue for many decades, Zeliang also said that in the meet, all the participants had “free and fair” discussions as all were of the view in lifting the controversial “AFSPA” not partially but fully as it is lifted in some districts.
He said the meet had welcomed the idea but at the same time had exchanged ideas to take it forward by citing the “ceasefire ground rules” with the “people’s government with State police”.
“if the government and people support the Police, we can implement the ceasefire ground rules in total so that the question of re-imposing AFSPA does not arise,” Zeliang said while also informing that in the meet it was decided to cooperate with each other and take it forward so that the whole state may be “done away” with the AFSPA.
Konyak Union expresses resentment over ‘partial lifting’ of AFSPA
Konyak Union, on Monday has shared their resentment over the Nagaland’s apathetic attitude on the Nagaland government for only “partial lifting” of the AFSPA in the State.
As the KU had abstained from the consultative meeting on AFSPA convened by state government on Monday at Rhododendron Hall, Chumoukedima, the KU president, Howing Konyak, when contacted told this Correspondent that the union felt that instead of partial lifting, it should be total and if it cannot be, a “total solution” to its demand.
Sharing that AFSPA is different as it could be discussed “amicably” with “inclusive solution”, Howing said till date the victims of the December 4 last Oting incidents were yet to get their justice despite more than four months.
On being asked if intervened by the State government on KU abstaining from the “crucial meet”, Howang said that there was no communication from the state government.
The union further affirmed an earlier stand that until justice is delivered on the Oting Massacre incident/atrocities committed by the 21 Para Commandos, it would also steadfastly stick to its declared stance “No Konyak shall participate in any national event celebration and shall also continue to uphold its non cooperation stance against the Indian Armed forces for infinity.”
The Ao Senden, apex body of Ao tribe, also reportedly did not attend the Chomoukedima meet.