Centre subjugating Nagas through militarisation: NSF on AFSPA extension

Kohima: Reacting to the declaration of the whole state of Nagaland as a ‘disturbed area’ for another six months under the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) condemned the “overarching approach” by the central government on the pretext of “law and order” problem in the state.

The student body on Thursday said that the extension of AFSPA is another attempt by the Centre to keep the Nagas “subjugated through militarisation”. The federation denounced the “continuous attempt of the central government to paint the state as a land of lawlessness and chaos”.

Saying that the world is witness to the fact that Nagaland is a beautiful state, inhabited by peace loving citizens, it said that the Centre’s “impugned order” is contrary.

“After a thorough perusal of the ‘law and order’ situations of the various states in the country, it escapes the rationale of the federation as to why the controversial law, AFSPA, is in operation in a relatively peaceful state of Nagaland and not in other states with even worst and appalling law and order records,” said NSF.

Also read | ‘Mysterious’ death of 2 Dimapur residents in Gurugram: Meghalaya leaders demand probe

The student federation said that the history of “excesses committed by the armed forces upon the Naga people under the cover of AFSPA calls for condemnation from all quarters and all right thinking citizens of the world”.

It appealed to the Centre to objectively assess the situation and not act upon bias reports from their various agencies.

The federation reiterated that AFSPA is unconstitutional and has no place in a democratic state as it only encourages abuses and serious human rights violations by the armed forces acting on behalf of the state.

Further, it appealed to the Union ministry of home affairs to take the right steps and ensure that the controversial law is repealed once and for all.