The Black Laws of Colonialist Era vis-a-vis Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958

"The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous".
Jawaharlal Nehru
PM of India 1947-1964.

Just 21 days after the funeral of rifleman, Late Kathnei Konyak of Assam Rifles, who died in Manipur Ambush on 21st November 2021 while serving the Indian Nation. The sound of violence shattered the peaceful atmosphere of Oting a Konyak Naga village, on the fateful day of 4th December 2021 which left 13 innocent villagers murdered and many more injured by the same armed forces operating under the protection of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, the same laws, the Indian people had termed as Black Laws under the British Administration.

AFSPA is a renamed act *of the erstwhile* Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919.

Every Commission/Committee set up by the Indian Government to study the Act has repeatedly called for its repealing yet the Indian Government continues to reject it and gives unprecedented power to the army to commit untold atrocities to its own citizens.

The act violates and denigrates everything the world's largest democracy stands for.

The United Nations and various other international peace groups have condemned the act calling it "Unjustified and Breach of  Contemporary and International Human Rights Standard".

The proud father of the martyred Kathnei Konyak, who said while addressing his funeral and I quote, "I gave my two sons to make our country strong. Today one has returned. I have one more. Konyak brothers should continue serving the Nation like him".

One can only feel his utter betrayal, dejection and remorse when 14 of his own brothers were murdered by the same forces he proudly stood by.

Countless innocent civilians were abused, raped, discriminated, and murdered under the impunity of AFSPA by armed forces.

I call upon the conscience of every Indian Citizen to thoroughly introspect the draconian act. AFSPA 1958 is a mockery to those who laid down their lives fighting against the injustices done by the colonialist. Indeed a big mockery!*

Don't those under AFSPA deserve to live dignified human lives too?

Do we deserve to live like mere target practice for the Army?

How many more of our villages and towns shall burn?

How many more of our mothers and sisters shall be ridiculed and raped?

Fresh from the wounds of injustice and mourning, Nagas woke up to yet rude declaration of Disturbed Areas Act again.

"I prayed to God to give solace and patience to all those Nagas serving in the Armed forces and not to retaliate against their superiors in the backdrop of the murders of their villagers and brothers", said the Pastor of Oting Village when we went to met them .Such is the patience of Nagas!!