Nagaland: CM Rio’s NDPP Urges Centre To Revoke Controversial AFSPA

Guwahati: After MHA’s Thursday’s notification extending the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in entire Nagaland till June 30 next year, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s party – Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) demanded the Centre to nullify and revoke Union Home Ministry’s decision.

The MHA notification came at a time when the almost all political parties and Naga Civil Society Organisations (CSO) vehemently opposed the AFSPA following the killing of 14 people and injuring 30 others by the security forces in Mon district last month.

A statement by NDPP said, “Nagaland has been undergoing positive growth in the tourism and service sector and has emerged as a popular destination. But with the unnecessary extension of disturbed areas and the imposition of the AFSPA, our efforts towards economic growth and integration with the mainstream will only be negatively impacted.”

The ruling party said that due to the ceasefire which has been in place for the last 25 years, Nagaland has been relatively peaceful and overall law and order situation in Nagaland has improved heavily.

“The MHA notification only belittles the high-level meeting held between the Union Home Minister, Nagaland and Assam Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland and the Leader of the NPF (Naga People’s Front) Legislature Party and former Chief Minister of Nagaland on December 23 in Delhi,” NDDP statement added.

On Saturday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Centre’s decision to constitute a committee to review AFSPA in Nagaland within 45 days has been a positive move. “It will help in building confidence amongst the Centre and state,” Sarma said.

Read More : Assam govt. to take a call on AFSPA shortly: CM Sarma