Nagaland Holds 2-Day Protest Against Controversial Law AFSPA

Manipur: On Monday, hundreds of Nagas launched a two-day walkathon from Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur to the state capital Kohima, calling for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) and justice for the 14 civilians slain by security forces in Mon district in December.

People were observed hoisting anti-AFSPA signs and banners, and chanting slogans demanding justice for the 14 victims.

Following a large social media campaign over the previous few weeks, various Naga Civil Society Organizations spearheaded the two-day walkathon.

In Kohima, the leaders of the walkathon would submit a memorandum to the Centre through the state’s acting Governor Jagdish Mukhi.

Eastern Naga Students Federation President Chingmak Chang said that the walkathon is being organised to remind the central and state governments to repeal the AFSPA at the earliest.

He said that the march was very peaceful, silent and democratic to convey the resentment of the people against the AFSPA and protect the dignity of the Nagas as human beings.

“We would continue our programmes in various manners until the government respond positively towards our demands,” Mr Chang told the media.

He said without considering the mass demand to repeal the AFSPA, the Centre on December 30 extended the act for six more months. “This is intolerable,” he said.

After the Mon district killing, Nagaland witnessed agitations demanding repeal of AFSPA and punishment for the security personnel involved in the botched operations.

Besides the three wings of the Konyak Unions, several other organisations including the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) have been agitating to repeal AFSPA from the entire northeastern region.