NSCN-IM accuses GoI of playing with Nagas sentiments

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 19 (EMN): The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM accused Government of India (GoI) of playing with the sentiments of the Nagas as it re-imposes Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state of Nagaland.

GoI had declared the entire state of Nagaland as “disturbed area” for another six more months, the notification of which was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 30.

“Notorious for over indulgence in divisive politics, the GoI is playing with the sentiment of the Naga people by repeatedly imposing DAA (Disturbed Area Act) against the wishes of the people in Nagaland”, reads the editorial of the NSCN-IM’s news bulletin ‘Nagalim Voice’.

It added that too much of anything like DAA would contribute nothing good other than help create an unhealthy claustrophobic atmosphere.

“The most contemptuous act, “Disturbed Area Act” (DAA) under the ‘Armed Forces Special Powers Act’ (AFSPA) has become the belligerent policy of the Government of India (GoI) to settle scores with the Nagas using the barbarous culture of the Indian Armed Forces,” it alleged.

The situation in the state does not warrant imposition of such an “obnoxious act, but the GoI do not care a hoot about Nagaland except to talk through the barrel of guns,” according to NSCN-IM.

“Even the ongoing 1997 Indo-Naga ceasefire which the GoI coaxed NSCN to sign after acknowledging the Naga issue as ‘political issue’ and not ‘India’s internal law and order issue’ have had no bearing on the approach of the GoI to change its stand on the application of AFSPA against the Nagas. This is the perverse irony of India always dwelling in the past and not giving a damn even after the peace process has made substantial progress,” the NSCN-IM stated.

Repeated imposition of the Act is “provoking” the “good thinking” of the Naga people despite the peaceful environment, it added.

“If DAA is so important for India, why is it not imposed in other parts of the country like UP where law and order issue is more disturbing and dangerous than Nagaland. It may seem paradoxical, but it would not be too farfetched to say that the Government of India is characteristically abusive towards the Nagas,” the NSCN-IM stated.