At a time when the demand for repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is maximum, a senior serving military officer says "maximum extortion" takes place in the northeast where AFSPA has been withdrawn.
"Extortion by the Naga groups started in 1947. Then the Naga National Council (NNC) needed funding and thus voluntary contributions started. It became a matter of pride for every family to pay donations for the ‘Naga cause’," DG Assam Rifles Lt Gen. Pradeep Chandran Nair told the magazine 'The Week' in an interview.
He claims, "Almost every day, Assam Rifles is arresting such people (extortionists). But the common man continues to pay and suffer".
He said the state government(s) and police "have to be more visible".
"....The same thing applies in Manipur. Maximum extortion takes places where AFSPA has been withdrawn (the 33 sq km in Imphal valley), which is also called the de-notified area. Realisation has to dawn on the common people. We cannot always protect them from intimidation. That is the job of the police".
the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition
Amid protests, assembly resolution and political rows, the Centre on Thursday morning, Dec 30, 2021, extended application of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) by six months.
"..the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in the aid of civil power is necessary".
"...therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the AFSPA, 1958, (No. 2 of 1958) the central government hereby declares the whole of the state of Nagaland to be 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from Dec 30, 2021.
Once during a Lok Sabha debate Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said, "Lagta hae ghari ki sui ghum ke usi jagah laut Ayi hae..(It appears the hands of the clock have come back to the position where we all started with.)"
The sentence applies to Nagaland and its story of insurgency in a very apt manner.
After decades perhaps, Nagaland has made it to the front page of national dailies and also international news headlines. But sadly, yet again for wrong reasons.
The year 2021 will go down the memory lane with miserable stories of gunshots and killings of innocent
Nagas. The policy makers are again either clueless or like the sixties and seventies yet again
engaged in a never ending game between cat and mouse.
Army probe team visits Oting shootout site in Nagaland
New Delhi:
An Army inquiry team constituted to probe the Oting firing visited the site in Mon district of Nagaland on Wednesday, December 29.
"The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened," a defence source said.
old file snap
The team took along the "witnesses for better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded".
"Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District between 1330 to 1500 hours on December 29, 2021 to meet the cross section of the society to include civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated injured for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident," the source said.
Earlier, Indian Army had "requested twice through public notices" regarding any person having information, to directly share it, either by being present before the Inquiry Team at Tizit Police Station on Wednesday, Dec 29.
The Court of Inquiry is progressing "expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest", an army statement has said on Sunday.
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Army inquiry team likely to visit Tizit, collect primary information on Wednesday
New Delhi
An Army inquiry team constituted to probe the Oting firing wherein Naga civilians were gunned down is likely to visit Tizit town in Mon district on Wednesday, December 29.
Church: Near Kohima
The probe team headed by a Major General "solicits" from the public at large any primary information (not forwarded or not from secondary source) pertaining to the incident.
"Any person having such information and desirous of deposing before the Inquiry is requested to do so," a source said here.
The team will visit Tizit police station in the afternoon to collect information from local people related to the incident.
However, "original information, photo or video" and "not forwarded or not from a secondary source" related to the
incident would be collected after undertaking a due legal process.
The Army had earlier said that such 'original' information or video etc could also be shared with the
Inquiry team via Phone, SMS or Whatsapp Messenger at +916033924571.
The information could also be shared in person to the Inquiry team at Dinjan Military Station in Assam, sources said.
The Nagaland government has also ordered a SIT probe into the unfortunate incident.
The state's probe team is headed by IGP Limasunep Jamir and comprises DIG Ms M. Roopa,
and three other officials Manoj Kumar, Killang Walling and Relo Aye.
The Army has the probe started 'expeditiously' and that they are also cooperating with the SIT probe
and also required details are being shared in a timely manner.
In a statement on Monday, the Indian Army wished "a happy new year to the people of Nagaland". "....We pray
for the good health, peace, happiness and prosperity for the people. We once again deeply regret the loss of lives
during the December 4 incident in Mon district".
There are apprehensions that the botched up military operation could in fact leave an adverse impact on the
Naga peace talks which are said to be at an advanced stage.
The gory killing had triggered statewide protest and rekindled the demand for AFSPA repeal.
On Monday, the centre constituted a special panel with Census chief Vivek Joshi as the chairman.
The AFSPA application which is extended periodically expires by December end and all eyes now remain
on the central government whether the provision would be extended pending the report of the Joshi-headed
committee.
The panel which also comprises Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam and DGP T. John Longkumer
besides other representatives including from Intelligence Bureau was given three months time to
submit the report.
The state government is said to have insisted on 45 days' time and in fact a written statement from
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy CM Y. Patton and former CM T R Zeliang makes mention about the same.
The three Naga leaders held a late night meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on December 23 in presence of Assam CM and NEDA convener Himanta Biswa Sarma.
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'Panel' for AFSPA review has IB man, DGMO, DG Assam Rifles
Did Naga leaders 'win' or only a face-saver?, Is the ball finally in the court of PM Narendra Modi ?
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home, Piyush Goyal will be the member secretary of the panel and it will have Lt Gen P C Nair, DG Assam Rifles among others as a member.
Other members of the committee are J Alam, Chief Secretary, Nagaland, T. John Longkumer, DGP, Nagaland, Dr M S Tuli, Joint Director Intelligence Bureau and Lt Gen B S Raju, DG Military Operations, will be the special invitee.
"The terms of reference of the committee shall be to review the application of AFSPA in Nagaland and make suitable recommendations within a period of three months". The panel chairman will be - Vivek Joshi, Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India
Army says have 'patience' for our probe !!!
"Indian Army wishes a happy new year to the people of Nagaland and we pray for the good health, peace, happiness and prosperity for the people. We once again deeply regret the loss of lives during the December 4 incident in Mon district."
On Dec 26, three Naga leaders including CM, Neiphiu Rio said: "Centre to set up a panel to study withdrawal of #AFSPA in #Nagaland. It will be headed by Addl Secy Home in charge North East and include Nagaland Chief Secy and DGP. It will also have Assam Rifles (IG) and CRPF representative. "
The meeting took place late night on Dec 23, Thursday which was attended by Amit Shah, Rio, Assam CM Himanta and two other Naga leaders.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma welcomed the 'decision' to constitute a panel to review enforcement of AFSPA in Nagaland, but he says the panel review AFSPA matters across all north eastern states.
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| Did Naga leaders 'win' or only a face-saver? |
As was during the UPA regime, the central forces and army have told the Government specifically if no AFSPA..."WE cannot function....they don't mind withdrawal...But if they are to function...they want to work 'independently'.
The CRPF, which has about 35 battalions in the Northeast, including 18 in Assam and two in Nagaland, have conveyed to the government they are in "favour" of a status quo on the AFSPA. Assam Rifles also echoes similar sentiments.
"....they do not want any change in the deployment rules".
Sources close to the NNPG leadership have said only a Final peace pact can bring a 'natural end' to all controversies pertaining to AFSPA and deployment of security forces in Nagaland and other Naga inhabited areas.
Nagas have substantial presence in Manipur, which goes to the polls by February-March along with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa.
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| A ceremonial occasion: All is fair in Love and Fests |
New Delhi:
A late night crucial meeting was held between Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland Himanta Biswa Sarma and Neiphiu Rio respectively.
BJP floor leader in Nagaland and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and a former Chief Minister T R Zeliang were also present.
The deliberations were vital as these took place days after the Nagaland assembly adopted a resolution for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).
The summoning of the leaders from Nagaland especially on the eve of Christmas and their arrival in the capital along with Assam Chief Minister and NEDA convener Himanta Biswa Sarma signified that talks were sensitive and essential.
The meeting between Mr Shah and the northeastern leaders took place within hours India's Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on a two-day visit to Myanmar raised matters relating to India’s security with Myanmar military rulers especially in the light of the "recent incident in Churachandpur" district in southern Manipur.
The ambush claimed the lives of Col Viplab Tripathi, his wife and nine year old boy and four jawans. Subsequently, the killing of Naga civilians by security forces in Mon district in a botched up anti insurgency operation has now led to demand for the withdrawal of the AFSPA from Nagaland.
“Entire Naga society has been calling for repeal of AFSPA and that voice is at its loudest today. Even as we participate in this discussion, the entire State is eagerly awaiting the result of this special session and contents of the resolutions we will adopt today. This House must reflect the desire of the people,” said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Dec 20 while piloting forcefully an official resolution seeking immediate repeal of the controversial law that gives some impunity to armed forces.
Assam Chief Minister Sarma for his part, however, said AFSPA will continue in his state. The argument beingthe withdrawal of AFSPA cannot be a call of the government alone. It has to depend on the overall situation, law and order situation of the state. "Now suppose I withdraw, will that be reciprocated by the militant organisations?," he said in Guwahati a few days back.
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| Is the ball 'finally' in his court ? |
A part of the 'Made in India' vaccines handed over to the Myanmar Red Cross Society on Wednesdayby the Foreign Secretary are meant to be "utilized for communities living along Myanmar’s border with India".
Needless to add, a large number of Naga ethnic groups reside along the India-Myanmar border.
The Oting violence in Mon district on Dec 4 has left authorities embarrassed.
The first assault by security forces on December 4 was due to 'mistaken identity' as there were inputs of movement of insurgents from a militant group known to be based out of Myanmar.
There was suspicion of the movement of NSCN (KY) which generally has a base in Myanmar.
This assertion by Home Minister Amit Shah has been flayed by various social organisations and pressure groups in Nagaland. Shah's effigies were also burnt in Tizit in Mon district of Nagaland.
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| Effigy burning |
The Oting killing of Konyak Naga civilians and subsequent violence in Mon town on Dec 5 have led to the demand for withdrawal of the AFSPA, considered an essential piece of legislation for army operations in north east and in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the Churachandpur ambush on Nov 13, one colonel Viplab Tripathi, his wife and nine-year boy were killed along with four jawans. Six others were injured when PLA and little known Manipur Naga People's Front militants attacked the forces at Behiang in Churachandpur district.
Apprehensions were expressed in certain quarters that Oting killing and subsequent developments could even lead to derailment or stalling of the hard-owned Naga peace talks that had begun in August 1997.
ends
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| A 'spirited' Angami Naga |
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