Kohima, Dec 6 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday strongly demanded the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 as hundreds of people bid an emotional farewell to the 14 civilians killed by security forces in Mon district.
A shutdown was called in Kohima and different parts of the state to condemn the incident and demand repeal of the AFSPA.
In Shillong, Rio’s Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K.Sangma also demanded withdrawal of the act.Rio paid tributes to the victims, including six coal miners in Mon town.He said that he had discussed the matter with Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister.He stated that both the Central and state governments would provide compensation of Rs 165,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively to the families of the injured and slain civilians.
” We have been asking the government for the removal of the AFSPA from all parts of the country.This is a very harsh law.There are many provisions and acts that can be used to deal with insurgency.India is a great democracy nation.
He said that such an act and its misuse damaged the image of the country.
The AFSPA, in force in certain parts of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh besides Nagaland, allows the Army and paramilitary forces to conduct raids, and arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant.
The Nagaland government, in view of Saturday’s incident, has decided to suspend all cultural performances of the famous Hornbill Festival on Monday as a mark of respect to the slain The 10-day fest began at Kisama Heritage Village, near Kohima, on December 1.
The influential Naga Students’ Federation has announced 5 days of mourning and urged the tribals not to participate in any celebration during the period.
Meanwhile, after ceremonial tributes, the bodies of the 14 killed people were handed over their families for last rites in a traditional manner.
Police and leaders of various Naga organisations, including Konyak Hoho and Oting Village Students’ Union (OVSU), said that eight coal miners were returning from Tiru coal mining area on late Saturday in a pick-up van when six of them shot dead by the security personnel due to “mistaken identity”, being thought as members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang-Yung Aung.
An angry mob ran to the area after hearing about the incident and the Assam Rifles personnel shot in self-defence killing seven more civilians.An Assam Rifles jawan was shot and killed in a mob attack that took place between Oting & Tiru villages.
Several hundred angry villagers on Sunday attacked the Assam Rifles camp in Mon and the jawans opened fire in the air, killing one more person and injuring several.
Of the 28 injured, the condition of six is stated to be critical.
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