Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said partial lifting of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland makes no difference.
The chief minister said that Nagaland is a land with “issues” and the Government of India (GoI) has declared it as disturbed area. Despite hue and cry, he recalled how AFSPA was extended in the state.
Although he acknowledged the Centre for partially lifting AFSPA, he said that it does not make much difference.
While security forces will continue to operate in the areas still under AFSPA, he said for those areas where AFSPA has been removed, there is a need for the citizens to participate to make the situation better.
Along with the police, he said, the citizens need to be responsible in areas where AFSPA ceases to continue. He warned that if the situation in these areas deteriorates and even become bad, AFSPA will be reimposed.
Interacting with musicians at the CM’s residential complex in Kohima, Rio expressed his desire to make the state a centre for music.
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