SFs have taken undue advantage of AFSPA to terrorize people: Kashiho
A tribute service in memory of the victims massacred on December 4 at Oting village, Mon was held at the Old MLA hostel junction here on Sunday evening where hundreds of people from all walks of life attended.
Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU), minister soil & water conservation, geology & mining and NSMDC minister V Kashiho Sangtam expressed deep condolence for the Konyak youths gunned down by troops of 21 Para special forces.
Kashiho said no words could ever describe the gruesome act of genocide committed on the innocent Konyak brothers who had done nothing wrong in the eye of law. He alleged that security forces had taken full advantage of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to “kill and terrorise” people since 1958.
Therefore, he said repeal of the draconian Act which has been a long standing demand of the people of Nagaland and other North-eastern States, he added.
Kashiho also alleged that Nagas suffered untold miseries and discrimination at the hands of Central paramilitary forces under the oppressive Act that resulted in loss of thousands of lives and homes. He also said the hue and cry against the Act appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
He termed the December 4 incident a ‘carnage’ inflicted on the Konyak brothers at Oting that also exposed the real nature of the Act and for all to see and understand that it (AFSPA) was oppressive, discriminatory and should be done away with.
Kashiho disclosed that the State government held a special emergency cabinet meeting on December 7, wherein it was decided to send a memo to Government of India to repeal the draconian Act.
He also pointed out that the State government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a senior IGP to investigate the Oting incident and submit its report within one month.
Similarly, he said the Indian Army had also set up its court of inquiry headed by one Major General to probe the circumstances under which the botched operation by troops of 21 Para Special Forces took place.
Kashiho assured the people of Oting and Konyak brothers that ENLU would do its best to impress upon the Centre and State government to give impartial judgement so that the culprits were punished as per the law. He said ENLU would continue to “fight till justice was delivered and appropriate actions taken”.
Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Kohima (ENPUK) president N Toshi Chang, paid homage to the victims and described their deaths as a great loss. He however said the victims did not die in vain as their death had brought the Nagas together when the whole world had the perception that Nagas were divided.
He reminded Government of India that the tears of Nagas will not dry quickly. He appealed to all Nagas to fight together for a better future where the people would live freely.
In her short remark, Eastern Nagaland Women Union Kohima (ENWUK) president Lemei B Phom offered solidarity with the Konyak brethren.
She termed the incident at Oting as shocking and strongly condemned the barbaric act committed by the security forces under the cover of AFSPA but said no reason could justify the killing.
Lemei assured that the mothers and sisters were with the Konyak people in their quest for justice.
Earlier, the tribute service was chaired by Konyak Baptist Church Kohima (KBCK) pastor Z Mankup while KUK president H Angnyei Konyak proposed the vote of thanks.
KBCK member Chuba Lam invoked God’s blessings and Sangtam Baptist Church Kohima pastor Thsadongse Sangtam offered the benediction.
Tribute songs were presented by Yemkongsomba and Mannham & Angam.
Hundreds of people from in and around the State Capital attended the service, which ended with a candlelight vigil.
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