Imphal: MLA Leishiyo Keishing, chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur, has expressed his deepest sympathy and condolence on the loss of 13 innocent civilian lives brutally killed by the security forces at Oting village under Mon district in Nagaland on December 4.
The MLA also expressed his concerns over the increasing violence upon the civilians under the draconian law Armed Forces (Special) Power Act (AFSPA) by security forces.
The existence of the draconian law AFSPA is empowering the security forces to commit crimes directly or indirectly against the innocent civilians, he stated.
According to him, recently the 42 Assam Rifles in Manipur has served an aggressive defensive posture in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in light of the recent ambush on Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur district.
Such aggressive defensive posture can transcribe into Oting-like incident and it cannot be ruled out in Manipur, too, where AFSPA exist, he said.
In his condemnation statement, the HAC chairman stated, “I’m shocked and deeply disturbed by the barbaric act and strongly condemn the heinous crime committed by the security forces upon the unarmed innocent civilians on the pretext of mistaken identity.”
“Such gruesome act is a repetition of the past, which has caused insecurity among the public,” said the HAC chairman.
The MLA further urged the authorities concerned to repeal AFSPA from the region, and added that “such orders which can disturb the hard-earned sense of security and peace in the region be rescinded”.
Mon killings: Nagas in Delhi show solidarity; seek AFSPA repeal
