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EMN Kohima, August 7
Expressing disappointment over the Centre’s decision to extend Disturbed Area Act (DAA) in Nagaland year after year, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) said the continued extension of the DAA reflects a lack of political understanding on the part of the Government of India, which it felt ‘has failed to enable any confidence building mechanisms for a common concern’. NPMHR in statement here on Wednesday said the extension has been made despite the prevailing congenial political environment with the steady progress of current political events in the background of ceasefires with major Naga political groups and peace negotiations; and at a time when Nagas are seeking to achieve meaningful reconciliation for a peaceful approach to addressing common issues. The NPMHR therefore criticized the continuing dehumanizing of Naga society through militarization and enforcement of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, through the declaration of DAA which is rooted directly to colonial policy of suppressing peoples’ movement. “Ever since India engaged the Naga people under these ‘terror laws’ with an over-whelming presence of military personnel of all shades and sizes, who wantonly committed heinous atrocities and gross violation of human rights; and even took upon itself the role of social and developmental activities, the Naga experience has been one of political subjugation, economic exploitation and cultural assimilation,” it said. The NPMHR also said that another note of concern is the involvement of bureaucratic judgments, particularly in the sanctioning and involvement of legislations, which is totally opposed to the political will and reasons that is much required today. The NPMHR further implored upon the present day government of Nagaland to initiate an all-party discussion for immediate removal of the Disturbed Area tag which has been the ‘face of Nagaland’ for as long as one can remember. The NPMHR also calls for a wider vigilant public response, not only in developing but also in orienting Nagas the implications of declaring their land as disturbed area.