No space for AFSPA in a democracy: Nagaland BJP president
During a discussion on the application of AFSPA in Nagaland at the 10th session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Along said that security forces cannot be empowered to take the lives of innocent civilians, and be left “scot-free”.
Nagaland state BJP President Temjen Imna Along, on Monday, said there is “no space” for an Act like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in a democracy.
During a discussion on the application of AFSPA in Nagaland at the 10th session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Along said that security forces cannot be empowered to take the lives of innocent civilians, and be left “scot-free”.
The special Assembly session was convened to discuss the AFSPA as a matter of urgent public importance following the death of 14 civilians at the hands of security forces in Nagaland.
Condemning the Mon district killing incidents, he said that all legislators must stand in solidarity as no compensation will compensate the loss of innocent lives. The state BJP chief said that it is hard to comprehend how the law of AFSPA gives immunity to the armed forces to create havoc and disturb the peace of innocent people, adding that the draconian Act does not allow truth to win and prevail.
He expressed pain over such an act of war by security forces upon its own people in the so-called “largest democracy” of the world which gives shelter and refuge to these forces under AFSPA. During the discussion, the legislator said that all legislators must stand together and adopt a resolution for the repeal of AFSPA, a law, which should be repealed in “any place” across the country.
