KOHIMA: Northeast Student’s Organization (NESO) advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya today said that indigenous people of all the seven Northeast Indian states are 'Nagas', while extending solidarity to the 15 villagers of Mon district’s Oting village who were killed in firing by Indian armed forces.
Addressing a raucous crowd a mega rally organized by Naga Students Federation, Bhattacharya said, “The NESO is with NSF. The Nagas are not alone. The indigenous people of 7 states of the Northeastern region are all Nagas. That’s a strong solidarity message ”
He further issued a strong warning to the “Central government, the Prime Minister of the country, Home Minister of the country, the Defence Minister of the country.”
“On behalf of the North East Students’ Organization. The Central government must change their mindset. Don’t think there is not a country past Kolkata. We would like them…we also like to live like good citizens. Don’t treat us like second class citizens," the
Bhattacharya also demanded the Centre to hand out “exemplary punishment” who had fired upon unarmed citizens in Oting village in eastern Nagaland and demanded the repealing of the 'draconian' Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 is an act of the Parliament of India that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas".
People in large numbers took to the streets in Kohima – capital city of Nagaland – in protest gainst the ‘draconian’ armed forces special powers act (AFSPA).
Hundreds of people in Kohima took to the streets and demonstrated against the AFSPA demanding immediate repeal of the “draconian act”. There have been numerous protests across Nagaland, ever since the botched counter-insurgency operation by the 21 para special forces.
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