Civilians Killed in Nagaland: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma Demands AFSPA Repeal

SHILLONG: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) must be abolished, according to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Sangma made his plea on Twitter.

Many residents have requested that the AFSPA legislation (1958), which gives the Indian Armed Forces extraordinary authority to preserve civil order, be repealed immediately. The Centre had already extended AFSPA by six months in June.

The Indian government prolonged the AFSPA deployment in Nagaland for yet another six months on June 30. On June 30, the same came into operation. The condition had been designated "disturbed and hazardous" by the Centre. It claimed that, given the state's state of affairs, the employment of military troops to assist civic administrations and municipal organisations was required. 

At least 13 people had been killed by security forces during an operation in Nagaland's Mon district on Saturday evening. While some daily-wage labourers were coming home in a pick-up vehicle from a coal mine, the event occurred between Oting and Tiru villages.

The villagers were confused for insurgents from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), as per sources. After obtaining information about insurgent activities, the Army stated that an operation was being carried out in the region. Immediately after the incident, the area was wracked by unrest, with security vehicles being set on fire. In retaliatory action, the Assam rifles attacked on such leading to the civilian casualties of eight more civilians and one jawan. 

The Army has established a court of investigation examining civilian deaths during the anti-insurgency action. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, also extended his "deepest sympathies" to the families of those that have died. The state government has constituted a high-level SIT to investigate the event and serve justice to the deceased' families. Amit Shah is expected to speak on the event in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. 

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