Nagaland firing incident: Amit Shah directs to form a committee to look into the withdrawal of AFSPA

New Delhi, Dec 27: With the rising demands in Nagaland for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the central government has decided to form a committee to look into the demand. This came after a high-level meeting was conducted chaired by Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah on December 23.

 

He directed the formation of a committee to review the withdrawal of the act in the Northeastern State. The development comes in the aftermath of the December 5 incident during which 14 civilians were killed by armed forces due to mistaken identity.

 

 

 

The meeting was attended by Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton, Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader TR Zeliang and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. In a press release, the Nagaland government informed that a committee will be instituted to look into the withdrawal of AFSPA and the Disputed Area Act from the state.

 

 

The press release further added that the family members of the deceased will be given government jobs. The DC and the SP of Mon district will carry out the necessary procedures in this regard in consultations with concerned village councils, and government jobs will be given on compassionate grounds on the basis of eligibility.

 

 

A delegation of Nagaland also urged the union home ministry to replace the Assam Rifles Unit in the Mon district with immediate effect. Nagaland govt said it is grateful to Amit Shah for taking the matter with utmost seriousness and appreciated the union for taking necessary steps to ensure justice and responding to the voice of the people.

 

 

On December 6, six villagers were reportedly killed in Oting village of Mon district when they were allegedly fired at by Army para commandos who suspected them to be terrorists. The commandos were waiting for militants but killed coal mine workers returning home. Soon after, a village search party found the bodies and attacked soldiers, leading to firing in which seven more civilians died. A soldier was also killed.

 

 

A day after one more civilian when security forces were resisting a mob attack on an Assam Rifles camp. According to the reports, at least 20 people were injured in the ambush and the violence that followed.