K.G. Kenye, the lone MP from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday said India’s unity and integrity had become a casualty because of the abuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to the detriment of civilians.
Kenye, a leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) that is part of the Opposition-less NDA government in Nagaland, was referring to the death of 14 civilians in a botched operation by security forces in the northeastern state over the weekend. The Nagaland cabinet and others in the Northeast have demanded the repeal of AFSPA, which gives sweeping powers to armed forces operating in disturbed areas to search, arrest and shoot to maintain order.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Kenye pointed out that members had expressed concern during a marathon debate in the Rajya Sabha when AFSPA was passed by Parliament in 1958.
The members, Kenye said, had been apprehensive that the special powers could be misused and abused if the armed forces were allowed to use them unhindered on innocent civilians.
“In the light of what has transpired in the last 63 years up to December 4 this year, it has turned out that they were prophetic and they have been proven correct. These armed forces’ special powers have been nothing for this country, except animosity on all people of this region, the northeastern region, and the mainland. It has taken a heavy toll on the unity and integrity of this country,” he said
“As long as these armed forces’ special powers continue to remain in the Constitution of our country, these will be used with impunity again,” Kenye added.
AFSPA is in force in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur (barring the Imphal municipal area) and three Arunachal Pradesh districts and eight police stations bordering Assam. There have been frequent allegations of its misuse.
AFSPA is in force in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur (barring the Imphal municipal area) and three Arunachal Pradesh districts and eight police stations bordering Assam. There have been frequent allegations of its misuse.
The Opposition parties, which were shouting slogans against the suspension of 12 MPs, halted their protest briefly to allow Kenye to speak. Members across parties sympathised with the concerns expressed by him.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the government to take note of the concerns. “It is a very serious issue. Please take note,” Naidu said.
Civil society groups have also over the years been demanding the repeal of AFSPA. Manipur civil rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila was on hunger strike for 16 years from 2000 against the law.
During UPA rule, several panels including the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission had recommended the cancellation of AFSPA.
