Kohima: The Naga Hoho has asked the Centre to revoke the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act or the Disturbed Area Act (DAA) from all Naga areas ‘so as to ensure peaceful co-existence without fear among different races in the land’.
In a representation signed by Naga Hoho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo and General Secretary P Chuba Ozukum, addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appraised 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 Naga People’s Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government, main opposition Congress and mass based peoples organisations are also against the frequent extension of the Act without legitimate reasons.
The Naga Hoho also brought to the PM’s notice that the Nagaland Government has, on several occasions, clearly indicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 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 Northeast 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 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 prime minister that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act contravenes both the Indian and International law standards. (UNI)