Kohima: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed disappointment over the continued extension of Disturbed Area Act (DAA) under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, in Nagaland year after year.
An official statement issued by the NPMHR states that this extension has been made despite the prevailing congenial political environment with the steady progress of current political events in the background of ceasefires with major political groups and peace negotiations and at a time when Nagas are seeking to achieve meaningful reconciliation for a peaceful approach to addressing common issues.
The NPMHR has felt that the continued extension of the DAA reflects what it termed as a “lack of political understanding on the part of the union Government, which has failed to enable any confidence building mechanisms for a common concern.”
The NPMHR has therefore deplored what it described as the continuing de-humanizing of Naga society through militarisation and enforcement of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, through the declaration of DAA which is rooted directly to colonial policy of suppressing peoples’ movement.” (UNI)