'Draconian law': Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio calls for repeal of AFSPA

AFSPA is now in force in the entire Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (barring Municipal areas in Imphal district) and some parts of Arunachal Pradesh

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday called for repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, saying a democratic country like India should have no place for such a "draconian law."

"The state government has told the Centre that we don't the AFSPA. This is a draconian law. A democratic country should have no place for such a draconian law. We have a lot of other acts to handle law and order issues," Rio told reporters after taking part in the funeral of 14 villagers, who were killed by armymen in Mon district on Saturday and Sunday.

The funeral was performed at a helipad in Mon on Monday morning before their last rites.

Also Read — Nagaland civilians killing: Shops, offices shut in protest; curfew, ban on mobile internet in Mon

"Home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh called me yesterday asking about the law and order situation in Nagaland. I said the situation became tense because the army committed a mistake by killing the innocent civilians. They violated the law," he said.

"The AFSPA is in force for more than 60 years now citing law and order issue. The state cabinet recommended for its withdrawal as the underground groups are in ceasefire for 25 years now and is engaged in talks. But the Centre declares the state as a disturbed area from time to time and refuses to withdraw AFSPA," Rio told the crowd.

NSCN-IM and NNPG, the rebel groups in ceasefire on Sunday said security forces were resorting to such killings and harassment of innocent civilians taking advantage of the AFSPA.

The DH on Sunday reported that killing of the civilians by security forces in Mon triggered fresh demand to repeal the controversial AFSPA and their withdrawal from the Northeast. The AFSPA is now in force in entire Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (barring Municipal areas in Imphal district) and some parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The act was withdrawn from Meghalaya in 2018 after law and order situation in the state improved.

Under the act, the security forces can use force or even open fire after giving a warning if they feel the person is in contravention of the law. They can also search a house or arrest a person without a warrant.

But army officials often stress that some special power is required to control "unwanted situation" created by militant groups in the Northeast, which operates allegedly with the the aid of "external forces.

Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma tweeted saying the AFSPA should be repealed.

BJP is an ally in the government, both in Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Ex-gratia, jobs to victim families:

Rio said the Shah assured him that the Centre will give Rs 11 lakh each as ex-gratia to the families of each victims and a government job to the next of kin. The state government will also provide assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each victim.

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