Nagaland Organizations Demand Repeal of Disturb Area Act

Different civil and students organization on Sunday condemned the declaration of entire Nagaland as a Disturbed Area on July 8 by the Government of India by exercising the power conferred upon under Section 3 of the Arm Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958.

Out rightly condemning the declaration of Disturbed Area in entire Nagaland and terming AFSPA as “tool of state abuse, oppression and discrimination, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Sunday appealed the Government of India (GoI) to immediately abstain from unleashing the infliction caused during its pre colonial-era upon the Nagas today. The ENSF recalled that the British government, during colonial-era, had imposed the Armed Forces special powers act/ordinances in the year 1942 during the Quit India Movement upon its non permanent citizen (i.e. Indians) and hence; such draconian ordinance is only imposed upon its non permanent citizens or upon its conquest citizen or subjects.

The ENSF, therefore, questioned the imposition of such ordinances concerning internal security, which it alleged is no doubt a “direct tagged upon the Nagas as the second class citizen within an Indian Union.” The Federation said it also failed to understand the GoI’s logic behind such ordinances even after a decade old peace talks with the Naga Political Groups. Its sincerity is highly questionable and condemnable.

Questioning the validity of the “Indian democracy” whereby the fundamental rights guaranteed to its citizen under the constitution of Indian is being muted off by such draconian act (AFSPA), the Federation pointed out that the act stands in total contradiction to liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for its citizen. The first imposition of AFSPA upon the Nagas was aftermath the plebiscite of 1951 and the subsequent boycott of 1952 general election but however, it had failed to curb the spirit of the movement till today. “Isn’t it a serious blunder? the Federation questioned.

In this regard, the Federation appealed the GoI to revoke the declaration of the entire Nagaland as “disturbed” so as to facilitate India as the emerging super power in the world by delivering peace. The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) expressed serious concern over the sudden decision of the Central government to extend the Disturbed Area over the whole state of Nagaland.

NMA, in a representation to the Governor, termed it as ‘shocking and questionable’ that in the midst of so much effort for maintaining peace by Naga mass based organizations, and the hope of a peaceful solution to the long drawn Naga political issue, the unilateral decision to extend this Act has been taken by the Centre.

“This sends a strong signal to us that the Government of India is unable to understand the gravity and impact such a decision will have on its people, women and children,” it pointed out.

The mothers’ association also asserted that the situation in the state does not merit the extension of the Act. It therefore voiced strong objections against the decision and demanded the lifting of the ‘Disturbed Area Act’ to “allow us to live as free citizens of democracy.” The NMA also reiterated their demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the interest of peace and the Naga people. “The impunity of AFSPA for decades in Nagaland and other states where it is enforced, has blotted and blackened the pages of Indian democracy,” it said.

The NMA also sought immediate withdrawal of Naga IRBs from all parts of the country, be it Kashmir, West Bengal, Delhi and other cities, and their deployment back in the state to maintain peace and security. “We believe our border and internal security can be best dealt with our own police forces and therefore demand the withdrawal of all Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces, in the interest of building confidence and peace,” it stated.

Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) said the determination of India to enforce AFSPA upon Nagas carries a clear message to the world that “Naga people are not Indian.”

Terming the declaration of Disturb Area as contradictory and illogical when ceasefire between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups is still in force, the youth association has urged the State government to play all means of positive role to ensure revocation of this Act.