KOHIMA:Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has alleged that even though the Centre always seeks the views of the state government on matters of extension of the Disturbed Areas’ Act (DAA), it always overrules it.
He explained this before renewal of the declaration of the Disturbed Areas under the Act.
In view of the ongoing peace process and the improving law and order situation, the Nagaland Government had repeatedly been conveying to the Centre that it’s not in favour of the declaration of the state as a ‘Disturbed Area’ under AFSPA.
However, despite opposition from the state government, the Centre had been extending the declaration of Nagaland state as disturbed area from time to time, ostensibly on the ground that Naga political insurgency for secession and political sovereignty is continuing till today.
Although the Centre seeks the views of the state in the matter, it has always been overruling the views of the state government, and continue to declare Nagaland as a disturbed area every year, he accused.
The last such declaration was made by the Centre extending the period for one year.
”Let this issue not be used anymore for political mudslinging and false accusation of the government in declaring Nagaland as a disturbed area under the AFSP Act,” Mr Rio stated.
The Armed Forces Special Power (AFSP) Act was enacted in 1958 essentially to facilitate the Indian army in fighting armed insurgency in the Northeast.
At that point of time, the only notable armed insurgency movement in the Northeast region was Naga insurgency, which is often referred to as the ‘mother of all insurgencies in the Northeast’.
However, for the last few years, even though the people of the state are not being subjected to undue hardship anymore, the Act and the declaration of disturbed area continue to be on papers, the chief minister stated. (UNI)