Editor,
The botched counter-insurgency operation of the arms forces in the name of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) have mistakenly killed 15 innocent civilians in the Mon District of Nagaland has become a matter of concern for the safety of civilians in the north-eastern region.
The horrific act is condemnable and unacceptable in modern society and that too targeted the very own nationals’ civilians. Though the operation was later regretted by the Army’s official, it does invite the wrath of the people and raise questions on the intelligence failure on the part of the arms force and the validity of the controversial AFSPA which gives enormous powers to the security forces without taking care of the common people.
Besides, this is not the first time that the Indian army has conducted an operation that led to gross violation of human rights. In fact, in the past, we have seen reports on rape, molestation, harassment and even abduction, etc. on the part of the arms force in a region where AFSPA has been declared.
This development in Nagaland may shake the whole north-eastern states with multiple interpretations with regard to the misuse of the law like AFSPA by the arms forces. Most importantly, the latest development may impact the peace and tranquility in the region where AFSPA is extended, which will also derail the peace process between the Government of India and the Naga insurgents of the NSCN different factions. In this regard, the tension may evolve and it is high time for the government to reconsider its opinion on the continuous extension of AFSPA in this region. Moreover, apex institution like the Supreme Court has also made a strong observation against AFSPA.
Speaking of civilians, laws like AFSPA must go and should have no place in a constitutional democracy. It is often seen that in the region where AFSPA is declared, there have been numerous cases of gross human rights violations done by the arms forces including fake encounters, custodial death and torture, etc. The argument of the government on AFSPA as a “necessary evil” is merely to suppress the voice of the majority which seems unnecessary in these modern times.
In the meantime, the provision of this law is extremely controversial as it gives the arms forces the right to shoot at sight, shoot to kill, search houses, destroy property and even arrest a person without any warrant to any suspected terrorist outfit and all these actions of the arms forces are given complete legal immunity. As part of the solution, the government must repeal this controversial law that has given tremendous powers to security forces.
So the killing of civilians in Nagaland by the army will fuel up the sovereign demand of insurgents groups that would gain momentum with the support of the masses, which could possibly escalate the violence in the days to come. Last but not the least, the government must come up with a clear solution to avoid further bloodshed in any of India’s conflict zones.
