Nagaland Govt to ask Centre to repeal AFSPA in state & entire northeast
Nagaland government decided to call off the remaining days of the ongoing Hornbill festival to express solidarity with the Konyaks
Kohima: Nagaland Cabinet has decided to ask the Central government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) not only in Nagaland but also in the northeast following public backlash over the killing of 13 civilians by security forces at Oting village in Mon district.
In the state cabinet meeting over the firing incident in Mon, Nagaland, it's been decided to write to the Government of India "to immediately repeal AFSPA, 1958 from the State, and that Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Centre should complete its investigation and submit its report by one month time. "
CM Neiphiu Rio told news agency ANI, "People have spoken very strongly about the unfortunate incident. At today's state cabinet meeting, we decided to ask GoI to repeal AFSPA not only in Nagaland but Northeast (altogether)".
"Through AFSPA, the excessive made by Armed Forces doesn't go well with the people in a democratic country like India ...It's a good thing that they (Centre) admitted to having made the wrong judgement through the tip... Hoping that justice is done", further said the chief minister.
Earlier in the day, the Nagaland government decided to call off the remaining days of the ongoing Hornbill festival to express solidarity with the Konyaks and “to hold a spirit of oneness with them as they mourn”.
The funeral service in honour of the civilians killed by the security forces at Oting, Mon district, was held at Helipad Ground, Mon on Monday. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Dy. CM Y. Patton, Ministers - Metsubo Jamir, Neiba Kronu and Pangyu Phom, T.R. Zeliang and all the Konyak Legislators were among the thousands who attended the service.
