Senapati: Outer Manipur (ST) Member of Parliament, Dr. Lorho S. Pfoze had on December 6, sent out message of condolence, condemnation and appeal over the over Nagaland killing.
The Manipur Member of Parliament stated that on the eventful days of December 4-5, while the entire state of Nagaland celebrated the nations famous and joyous Hornbill Festival, terror struck at Oting, a village in Mon district, Nagaland which killed at least 14 innocent civilians by the Para Special Forces.
All this was operated in the name of “Special Powers” as granted to the armed forces by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA), the MP stated. Life is most precious and sacred and when 14 innocent lives were slaughtered as a result of “Mistaken Identity” by the armed forces, the grief is immeasurable. This incident has taken the nation by storm. But the truth is, in the name of AFSPA, many more atrocities have gone unnoticed, unreported or false portrayed in the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh wherein, AFSPA is operational. AFSPA has far-reaching consequences more than what is read or known. It is often used as immunity for the armed forces to unquestionably terrorize the citizens, the MP asserted.
While the MP appeals the Govt of India that “AFSPA should be done away with and the draconian law be repealed immediately,” he lamented that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has pulled the image of Indian democracy to its lowest ebbs.
In no uncertain terms, the MP condemned the murder and unleashed of terror at Oting and appeals that justice be served. The MP stated to stand in solidarity with the people, the Konyak community in particular during these difficult times while he extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and share their pain and loss.
Also read: CSCHR urges Manipur Chief Minister to press for repeal of AFSPA