Naga students protest 'draconian' AFSPA in Kohima; army effigies burnt

KOHIMA: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) under the aegis of North East Students’ Organization (NESO) today joined the chorus against the imposition of AFSPA in front of the Raj Bhawan in Kohima today.

During the protest, Chingmak Kumchuba Chung, President of Easthern Naga Students Federation (ENSF), gave a brief account of the events at Oting in Mon district on December 4, which left several civilians dead. Kegwayhun Tep, President of the NSF, gave a presidential address, while Chuba Ozukum, former president NSF delivered a solidarity speech.

In both their speeches, the student leaders urged the government of India to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the Northeastern region.

The sit-in dharna against the imposition of AFSPA was later followed by the burning of army effigies labelled ‘AFSPA.’

The programme was led by James Brilliantson Kashung, speaker NSF, while Rev. Dr. Benry Lotha, Kohima Lotha Baptist church invoked God’s blessing and words of gratitude was delivered by Benjong Longchar, secretary social and culture NSF.

The Konyak Union, the apex body of the Konyak Naga community that dominates Nagaland’s Mon district, has demanded the identification and booking of all Army personnel involved in the massacre of 14 civilians at Oting village.

In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, the union also said that the action taken against the erring soldiers should be put in the public domain within a month.

The union accused the security forces of defying the ENPO’s declaration of December 18, 2007, forbidding bloodshed in the areas under the jurisdiction of the organisation.

The ENPO areas are inhabited by six Naga communities.