AFSPA breeds nothing but animosity — Rajya Sabha MP

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 8 (EMN): Nagaland’s Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) KG Kenye on Wednesday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has bred nothing but animosity between the people of the north-eastern region and the mainland India.

He was speaking at the winter session of the Parliament, following the Oting killing incident in Mon district of Nagaland.

Kenye maintained that when AFSPA was first brought on the floor of the August house, (then) it was followed by a marathon debate from the members, which stretched for days together.

“The members were hearing from different parts of the country and they have expressed their serious apprehension about the misuse and abuse of this special powers if it was enacted to be used by the armed forces against innocent civilians with impunity,” he said.

“And still, they will go scot-free without any prosecution from any court of law without the previous sanction of the Central government, so it was grave danger envisioning the grave consequences it would bear in this country,” he added.

They (members) had vehemently and stiffly opposed the enactment of this Act, the MP said.

‘In the light of what has transpired in the last 63 years up to December 4, 2021, they have prophesied and proved to be correct,’ he said

Kenye said that it had taken a heavy toll on the unity and integrity of this country.

All the efforts that have been put in by wise men, leaders, right-thinking citizens of this country from all walks of life have just been destroyed in a matter of few hours, he stated.

“As long as this AFSPA is to be continued in the constitution of our country, it will be used with impunity again,” he stated.

Towards this, Kenye on behalf of all the regions, appealed to repeal AFSPA, wherever it is in operation.