- NET Web Desk
Amid escalating tensions in the northeastern state of Nagaland after innocent civilians were mercilessly killed due to the incessant spraying of bullets by armed forces, the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday was asked by the Centre to report to the national capital, as cited by Republic World report.
According to latest updates, the CM will reach Delhi by today afternoon, to meet Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) & Cooperation, Amit Shah.
The concerned move comes during a time when voice to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) have grown louder across Northeastern regions.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma & Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday also urged Centre to repeal AFSPA, thereby referring the same as “draconian law”.
Meanwhile, several students unions of the Northeast India have also renewed their demand to repeal AFSPA, in order to prevent such deadly outcomes in the near future.
Earlier in June, the Centre had declared Nagaland as “Disturbed Area” and further extended the operation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for 6 more months.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has been in force in Nagaland for several decades.
Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976, asserts that once declared “disturbed”, the area has to maintain the status quo for a minimum of three months.
Under this act, in a “disturbed” area, an officer has full power to warn, or open fire and other kinds of forces against the person who is acting against law.
On Saturday last, at least 13 civilians identified as coal-miners were gunned down by security forces in Mon district of Nagaland. Referring the killings as “unfortunate”, the Indian Army confirmed the incident.
“The incident and its aftermath is deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” – the Indian Army in its statement said.
The unfortunate incident is basically the repercussion of army operation, which mistook the civilians as insurgents from the Yung Aung faction of the banned militant outfit – National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K).
