Kohima: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) directed all Naga youth and the student community to refrain from participating in the upcoming Republic Day celebration on January 26 as a mark of protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
NSF president Kegwayhun Tep and General Secretary Süpuni Ng Philo reiterated that Nagas should disassociate themselves from such celebrations as long as the Government of India (GoI) continues with its policy of ‘militarising the Naga homeland.’
“This is not in defiance of any forces on earth but the assertion that the voices of the Naga people cannot be muted despite the continued subjugation by forces reeking of colonial ideologies and practices,” they said.
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On Monday, the Federation reminded its units and subordinate bodies to comply with the earlier directive to restrict members from associating with the Indian Armed and Paramilitary forces. The NSF also reminded them to refrain from accepting any form of humanitarian aid, saying that such efforts cannot “purchase the rights of the Naga people nor mitigate the effects of the evils perpetrated upon us by these forces.”
The NSF also appealed to the state government to ensure that the SIT report about the Oting massacre be made public and that the culprits be awarded befitting punishments at the earliest.
The NSF added that it stands with the family members of the Oting massacre and all other victims of army excesses in the Naga homeland and said that it will continue to strive with them till justice is delivered.
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