Dimapur: The Naga Hoho, while saying that it took strong exception to the “distorted” statement of the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah on the floor of the house in Parliament, has demanded that the Government of India must immediately revoke imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the Northeast and the Naga areas in particular. It further demanded that the government remove the ‘Disturb Area’ tag from Nagaland “which is causing much harm than good to its citizens”.
It then said that the “Indo-Naga political talks must conclude at the earliest keeping in view the commitments made to the people so as to avoid misusing of AFSPA by Indian military forces in future”.
“While the incident was evidently intentional, the Home Minister tried to cover up the incident by terming as ‘mistaken identity’ and in self-defence’ is not at all acceptable,” the Naga Hoho said in a statement. It further said that the “misleading” statement in the Parliament itself is a proven fact, and therefore, “we strongly believe that the ambush was masterminded by the political masters of the 21 Para commandos”.
The Naga body then said that the Government of India empowering the security forces to handle the AFSPA is nothing but to suppress the rights of people’s freedom of movements and expression which is a contradiction to the guaranteed Constitution of India. The Naga Hoho also said that AFSPA is a direct violation of human rights and a negation of democracy which India claims with pride to be the largest democratic nation in the world. It added that India’s acclaimed peace keeper at the international level is a farce. “Rather, India deputed its forces to suppress and dehumanize the people,” the Naga Hoho added.
It then said that the Nagas’ hope for a ‘political solution’ after the signing of Framework Agreement is twisted to ‘no solution’ for ignoring the commitments and assurances with no political will after Amit Shah took over the charge of the Home Ministry. “Instead of resolving the Naga political issue, the Government of India is trying to create law and order situations in the Naga areas by torturing and killing the innocent people but unable to live by its commitments for justice,” the Naga Hoho also alleged. “Therefore, the Naga Hoho once again appeals to the Government of India that the Union Home Minister Shri. Amit Shah must immediately tender a public apology for the misleading statement on the floor of the house during the Parliament session,” the Naga Hoho demanded.
NNN