Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) is set to organize it’s biggest rally for repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958, on December 17 at old MLA junction in Kohima at 11:00 AM.
Nagaland has been witnessing a series of protests across the state after 14 civilians were killed by security forces in Mon district on December 4 and 5.
NSF president Kegwayhun Tep, addressing a presser on Wednesday, said the federation is prepared to conduct the historic mass rally to protest against the AFSPA in the state.
The student leader informed that a delegation of the student body also visited Mon to get a ground report on the recent incidents. He said the NAF will continue to ensure that AFSPA is repealed.
Tep urged all Nagaland residents, especially those living in Kohima, to join the mass rally, scheduled to be held at 11:00 AM.
Saying that Nagas are “fed up” of living under the yolk of AFSPA, convener of the rally and former NSF president Vipopal Kintso questioned on how long will the Nagas continue to be dehumanised by the draconian law. He said the rally is proposed to “clearly voice out” to India about the need to remove the law from the land.
Kintso informed that various civil society organizations and tribal bodies, including the Angami Public Organisation (APO), Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), Global Naga Forum (GNF), Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), will share the message.
After the formal ceremony, the gathering will then march to the Raj Bhavan, where the apex student body will be submitting a representation to the President of India and Prime Minister through the Nagaland Governor.
The federation advised students above class 10 to attend in school uniforms, and the other public to wear a touch of traditional attire.
Nagaland: 10-hour total bandh across Mon district on Thursday
