The Nagaland government on Sunday said that a committee will be formed soon to look into the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state. The decision regarding the formation of the committee was taken at a meeting on December 23 chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The meeting also included Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Deputy CM Y Patton, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the Naga People’s Front Legislature Party (NPFLP) leader TR Zeliang.
The meeting was held to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland, especially after the killing of some civilians by Armed Forces in a botched anti-militancy operation on December 4.
At least 14 civilians and one soldier were killed in a counter-insurgency operation that took place at Oting village in Nagaland’s Mon district on December 4. Security forces had opened fire on civilians in two consecutive incidents of firing. One soldier also died in the rioting which followed.
The committee will submit a report within 45 days, based on which the withdrawal of disturbed areas and AFSPA from Nagaland will be initiated.
Besides, a court of inquiry will initiate disciplinary proceedings against the Army unit involved in the Oting incident. Identified army persons facing inquiries will be suspended till then.
The state government will also provide jobs to the next of kin of the deceased in an Oting incident.
The Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Ordinance 1958 was promulgated by then President Dr Rajendra Prasad on May 22, 1958. It was replaced by the Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Act, 1958 on September 11, 1958. The Act grants special powers to the armed forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
