The Naga Hoho has taken strong exception to the recent extension of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in several areas of Nagaland stating that there cannot be true peace and mutual respect through the “barrel of a gun”. It said the draconian law must be repealed from the Naga homeland.

“The extension of AFSPA in the Naga areas is only the justification of how India had forcefully occupied the free Naga land,” stated the Naga Hoho, adding that the continued policy of the GoI to traumatize, wage proxy wars and create psychological threats against the Nagas must be condemned by every right-thinking citizen.

The Naga Hoho stated that the Gol “seems to reject and discard the voice of the people” even as elected democratic government of Nagaland had recommended for repeal of the infamous AFSPA 1958.

“We look forward with hope for a peaceful resolution to the Indo-Naga Political issue. However, with AFSPA in place, there cannot be true spirit of peace and tranquility.”

It claimed that the recent incident in Tamenglong district of Manipur wherein an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted in Puilang (Kambiron) was one glaring proof of the deliberate attempt of the Indian Army to kill innocent Naga citizens.

“The Naga people is outraged and anguished by the terrors created by the Indian Army over the Naga people. The patience of the Naga people should not be misunderstood as weakness,” the Naga Hoho said while demanding the complete withdrawal of the Draconian Act from the region once and for all.