ANSAM reaffirmed that non-cooperation until AFSPA is revoked

Imphal: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has reaffirmed its stand of non-cooperation with the Indian Armed Forces till the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 from the Naga areas.

This was in compliance with the Naga Students Federation (NSF) resolution passed during the second federal assembly held in 2022.
In a statement released, ANSAM said: “How can India, especially one that claims to be the world’s largest democracy, get away with so many killings, abductions and atrocities in the Naga homeland? Can the Indian government Will it prosecute the personnel of its security forces who are responsible for its heinous crimes?

Remembering the infamous 2021 Oting incident, wherein the 14 innocent Naga villagers were brutally massacred by the Indian Armed Forces in Mon district, the Naga student body said the incident was still fresh in the minds of the Naga people.

ANSAM also recalled the infamous Operation Bluebird, 1987, and various other incidents are “still hounding the Naga people with fear and tears.”

“ANSAM offers our highest respect and deepest homage to the departed Naga souls whose lives were mercilessly murdered and all the victims who suffered horrendous tragedies in such incidents,” it stated.

ANSAM said ever since the promulgation of the said infamous act, Nagas have been experiencing an undeclared war.

“The Nagas are a peaceful people and have been maintaining peace and harmony in all Naga homelands since the signing of the Indo-Naga ceasefire in 1997 which led to the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of India (GoI) and India.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on 3 August 2015, recognizing the unique history and circumstances of the Nagas and the two bodies committed to a new relationship based on sharing sovereign power,’ ANSAM said.

However, the Naga student body alleged that the blatant and continuous imposition of AFSPA in the Naga homeland negates the spirit of the Indo-Naga peace process which is at the highest level and reflects the insincerity on the part of the Government of India in resolving the longest political issues in the southeast Asia.