Committee to decide on AFSPA withdrawal in Nagaland

A committee will be set up to consider the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio gave this information in a tweet on Sunday regarding the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 23 December. Demands for the repeal of the law, which gives privileges to the armed forces, have gained momentum after 14 civilians were killed in military action in Mon district earlier this month. Protests were held against this in the entire state including the capital Kohima.

This committee will present the report within 45 days

The meeting was also attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP’s pointsperson in the North-East. It was decided here that the committee would consist of officers of the Central and State Governments and officers of the State Police. The committee will submit its report within 45 days and the decision to remove AFSPA will be taken on the basis of its recommendations. Last week, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to remove AFSPA from the North-East and the state in particular. Nagaland has always opposed it.

Meghalaya has also raised the demand for removal of AFSPA

Nagaland is not the only state to demand the removal of this law. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has also raised the demand for the removal of AFSPA. Sangma says that because of AFSPA, there has been more instability in place of peace. Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) is an ally of the BJP and the NDA. Earlier, Nagaland minister V Kashiho Sangtam had also alleged in the past that the army has been misusing the AFSPA law since 1958.