AFSPA or NSCN-IM: Which is more lethal?

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Special Correspondent
For Naga extremists, insurgency is a lucrative business with zero investment and nil effort. They  try to misguide the Centre by using their political influence and close proximity with some prominent leaders

 

It is very unfortunate that 13 or 14 Konyak brothers of Oting village were killed in a firing by para-military forces reportedly on mistaken identity on December 4, 2021. It should not have happened. The culprit should be punished as per law of the land. 

The question is whether it is AFSPA because of which the Army has to undertake patrolling in Nagaland orisit because of NSCN-IM, not NNPG, jawanshave to undertake the task? The answer is simple. Every honest Naga would agree that ThMuivah and his NSCM-IM is the root cause of terrorism in Nagaland. They say: “Why should Muivah axe his own legs by signing final agreement when he is enjoying all comforts, pleasures and respect as a ‘terrorist leader’  housed in a palatial accommodation in  posh Delhi locality complete with Z category security? If there is no insurgency in Nagaland he will lose these comforts and status.” They speak the same about political leaders in various political parties in Nagaland acting as the shield of armed militants because insurgency pays them without making any effort. The highly qualified Naga youths of today compare their Nagaland with contemporary Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh developing rapidly in every sector with peace and harmony. The tourists are pouring and industries are coming there. They dream the same to happen here in Nagaland also and take the name of Th. Muivah as the roadblock in the path of development of Nagaland.

Army Begins Probe in Oting Firing

An Army inquiry team constituted to probe the Oting firing incident visited the site in Mon district of Nagaland on December 29."The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances due to which the incident happened," a defence source said.

The team took along the witnesses for a better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded."Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District between 1330 to 1500 hours on December 29, 2021 to meet the cross-section of the society to include civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated injured for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident," the source said.

 

About Oting killing,Naga youths say: “The killing of innocent villagers,not one or two-three but thirteen altogether in one go by anybody, more so by the army,  should be condemned. It should have not occurred.” They add immediately, “But who created such a situation in Naga Hills in early sixties because of which Naga Hills was declared ‘Disturbed Area’ followed by advent of Armed Forces Special Powers Act – AFSPA in 1958 providing a shield to patrolling army men? The Army would have not come in Nagaland of those days which was simply a district of Assam called Naga Hills. It was NNC under Phizowho, after becoming its fourth president in 1950,demanded complete secession of Naga Hills from India with mere population of 205,950. TheyiechutheSakhre – a graduate from Kolkata, founder secretary of NNCand a resident of same Khonoma village where A Z Phizo hails from, opposed this unrealistic demand. For opposing secession, Phizo got him slaughtered on January 18, 1956. JB Jasokie, Sillie and Imkongmeren went hiding in Kohima to protect themselves from Phizo’s gun men.On July 17, 1956, the 48 youths of Chakhesang community from Thevopisumi village were slaughtered in one go at KBawe village under the command of ZashiHurie – the trusted lieutenant of Phizo. The only fault of thesemartyred men of Thevopisumi was that they refused to support NNC’s separatist demand. The village,Thevopisumi, was burnt down by NNC militants.Phizo’s NNC was posing danger to Rani Gaidinliu and her Heraka followers as well. Thus, all the villages of Angami, Chakhesang and Zeliangrong  communities were after the head of Phizo. To save his life, Phizo escaped to London via Dhaka and Karachi in December 1956 where British missionary Rev. Michael Scott hosted him.The arrogant Phizokept on burning Nagaland from London through Muivah. After 34 years, his dead body came here in Kohima in 1990.”Muivah took over as General Secretary of NNC in 1965 and started killing those who disagreed with him. After return from China in 1980, he murdered Brigadier NgamlaoKonyak and many other followers of Phizo. He said, “Kun kunPhizopichiejabo, guliektaektakhabo.” (Whosoever sides with Phizo will get a bullet). Over 300 Churches were burnt down and over 100 Naga missionaries were gunned down by Communist Muivah in Mon and Tuensang districts in the 1990s. In his booklet “Manifesto and Polarisation” (1980-1985) Muivah repeatedly called AZ Phizo, his family members, the Angamis and all who supported the Angamis as “Arch Traitor” of the Naga Nation branding them as traitors and deceivers of the nation and being guilty of betraying the national cause. Muivah’s uncountable murders of innocent Nagashave been well-documented in the book – “Interview with Naga Leader” authored by David Swu. VilhouthieRhiepfu says in his write up published on May 29, 2010, “Muivah has gone beyond all limits of courtesyby overstaying limits of Nagas of Nagaland.” He questions the authority of Muivah and says, “Who is Muivah to talk on behalf of us – the Nagas of Nagaland.” KitoviZimomi, the Chairman of Working Committee of NNPG says the same. Kitovi says, “We don’t recognize Th. Muivah as our leader because he is not a Naga of Nagaland. He is a Manipuri Tangkhul Naga. He is exploiting the generosity of the Central Government. We are ready to sign the agreement but Muivah is blocking. Who is Muivah? Delhi should prepare the final draft agreement as per NNPG’s agreement and the Framework Agreement with NSCN IM signed by Muivahon August 3, 2015. This proposed Draft Agreement should be put forth to him (Muivah] by Delhi with a caution: “Either sign the agreement or get ready to land in the Tihar jail.”This is the wish of present Naga society baring a few leaders – underground and overground– for whom insurgency is a lucrative business with zero investment and nil effort. They simply need to misguide Centre by using their political influence and close proximity with prominent Central leaders in cabinet and Parliament.  

 

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