DIMAPUR, AUG 3 (EMN): The Naga Hoho has asked the centre to revoke the Disturbed Area Act (DAA) from all Naga areas ‘so as to ensure peaceful co-existence without fear among different races in our land’.
In a representation addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Naga Hoho apprised that the DAA has become a sensitive political issue in Nagaland. It pointed out that while its removal has been a consistent demand of the ruling NPF-led DAN Government, main opposition Congress party and mass based peoples organisations are also against the frequent extension of the Act without legitimate reasons.
The Hoho also brought to the PM’s notice that the Nagaland Government has, on several occasions, clearly indicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, that it would be unethical to extend and continue the Disturbed Area Act in view of the current ceasefire with the Naga National workers, the current peace process and the overall improvement in the law and order situation in the State.
Stating that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) is one of the most draconian legislations that the Indian Parliament has passed in its 54 years of Parliamentary history, the representation, moreover, sought to remind the Prime Minister that during his visit to Assam in 2006 he had assured the people of the North-East that AFSPA would be replaced by a more humane law. While the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee, appointed for the same, recommended the complete repeal of AFSPA from the region, the Hoho regretted that the present
situation broadly highlights the poor progress made in this regard.
The Naga Hoho further said the definition of key phrases, especially ‘disturbed area’, under the AFSPA must be clarified, adding that the declaration that an area is disturbed should not be left to the subjective opinion of the Central or State Government. Highlighting the need for an objective standard which is judicially reviewable and that the declaration that an area is disturbed should be for a specified amount of time, it said such a declaration should not persist without legislative review.
Further, it reminded the PM that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act contravenes both Indian and International law standards.
In this backdrop, the Hoho put forth its strong view that the enforcement of AFSPA and declaration of DAA in the North East pushes the people to ‘more reason to want to liberate from a state which enacts such powers and the agitation which ensues continues to justify the use of the AFSPA from the point of view of the Indian Government’.
It, therefore, urged the centre to revoke the DAA from all Naga areas so as to ensure peaceful co-existence without fear among different races in our land.
The representation was appended by Naga Hoho president and general secretary Keviletuo Kiewhuo and P Chuba Ozukum.