Nagaland: 2 day walkathon organized seeking repeal of controversial AFSPA

Nagaland -A 2 day walkathon commenced in Nagaland against controversial AFSPA or Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958. Hundreds of people in the state began march from Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland, to capital city of Kohima demanding repeal of AFSPA and justice for the 14 civilians who were killed in December by security forces in Oting in Mon district of Nagaland in a botched counter-insurgency operation.

The march started at 6:30 am on Monday will conclude on Tuesday after covering 74 km distance from Dimapur to Kohima. The people will then submit a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland. Hundreds of Nagas were seen holding banners and placards reading signs against the Act and were heard raising slogans demanding justice for the victims of Oting massacre. The participants of the walkathon did the night halt at Piphema, which is halfway to Kohima, and then resumed the march Tuesday morning concluding it in the afternoon. The participants were hosted by the local residents and organisations of Medziphema and Piphema for lunch and night stay, respectively. This reflects the involvement of the Naga people in the march as they collectively demand justice.

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Naga Mothers’ Association adviser Professor Rosemary Dzuvichu and social activist Kevitho Kera said that the 2 days long public march has brought involvement of people from all walks of life and groups with the objective of getting the AFSPA removed from Nagaland and bringing justice for the Oting victims.

Rosemary tweeted, “People’s March against Armed Forced Special Powers Act… Nagaland on the move, from Dimapur to Piphema today. Tomorrow, Piphema to Raj Bhavan Kohima registering demand for repeal of AFSPA and justice for victims of army atrocities, Oting massacre and others.”

Widespread calls demanding the repeal of AFSPA from the state are increasing as the law gives sweeping powers to security personnel in the state to conduct search, arrest, and shoot in areas that have been designated as ‘disturbed’ under it. The Act was initially imposed in the state to check Naga insurgency.

It is notable that AFSPA has never been lifted from Nagaland even after commencement of peace talks in 1997 with the rebel groups. The controversial act is also currently imposed in Manipur, Assam and three districts and eight police stations of Arunachal Pradesh.