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DIMAPUR — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed strong opposition to the recent extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in eight districts and 21 police stations across five other districts of Nagaland. The extension, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will be in effect for another six months.
In a statement on Friday, the NSF condemned the decision as a “unilateral” decision that disregards the Naga people’s long-standing demand for the repeal of the draconian law.
“AFSPA, with its broad and sweeping powers, has been used as a tool of oppression against our people for decades. It undermines basic human rights, perpetuates fear, and emboldens security forces to act with impunity in our homeland”, it said.
“Despite the relative peace and significant progress in the Naga political dialogue, the extension of AFSPA sends a clear message that the Indian government is unwilling to recognise the aspirations and rights of the Naga people. The arbitrary imposition of AFSPA continues to demean our struggle for self-determination and disrupt the trust-building process with the government of India”, read the statement.
Rejecting the notion that Nagaland remains a “disturbed area” warranting the presence of such an oppressive law, the NSF criticised the government of India for extending AFSPA “without any meaningful consultation with Naga civil society or representatives.”
“It raises grave concerns about the sincerity of the government of India in pursuing genuine peace and reconciliation with the Naga people”, it said.
Reiterating its call for the immediate repeal of AFSPA from the Naga homeland, it said that the continued enforcement of this draconian law only exacerbates the alienation of the Naga people from the Indian state and undermines the prospects for a peaceful and lasting solution to the Naga political issue.
The NSF said it would intensify its efforts and pursue democratic means of protest, ensuring that the voices of the Naga people are heard. It also called upon all Naga people, civil society organisations, international human rights organisations, the United Nations, to take cognisance of this prolonged imposition of AFSPA in the Naga homeland, which has long been a source of untold suffering and human rights violations.
“We demand that the government of India act with responsibility and accountability in resolving the Naga issue, starting with the immediate withdrawal of AFSPA from the Naga homeland”, it added.