New Delhi, Dec 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting to review the current situation in Nagaland on December 23, during which it was resolved to create a committee to investigate the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, according to the state administration. Nagaland’s chief minister, CM Assam and others were also present during the meeting.
The Nagaland chief secretary and director general of police will serve on the committee, which will be led by the additional secretary-NE, MHA. The committee will include IGAR (N) and CRPF officials, and it will provide its findings in 45 days.
“Withdrawal of AFSPA from Nagaland and disturbed Area will be based on the recommendations of the committee,” an issued statement said.
“It was discussed in the meeting that a Court of Enquiry will initiate disciplinary proceedings against the army unit & army personnel, who are directly involved in the Outing incident and action will be taken immediately,” the Nagaland government said.
Earlier, after the killing of 13 civilians by security forces in Nagaland led to nationwide outrage, the state Assembly had adopted a resolution demanding that the Centre repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the Northeastern states.
AFSPA gives special powers to security forces in “disturbed areas”. AFSPA is in force in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, was adopted by voice vote during the special session of the Assembly.
On December 4, Army personnel mistook coal mine workers returning home in a pick-up van to be insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of the banned outfit NSCN (K) and opened fire, killing six people. Eight others, including an Army man, were killed in subsequent clashes between the forces and villagers.
