The North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought his intervention to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 from the north east region in the backdrop of the recent Oting incident.
While expressing their condolence at the untimely demise of India’s first and most decorated Chief of Defense Staff Late Gen Bipin Rawat and others following a helicopter crash in the Nilgiri Hills, the NECARF stated that they grieve with the nation.
While highlighting the Oting incident as “the most horrendous and incomprehensible incident”, the NECARF said at least six innocent youth in the prime of their age, returning from a coal mine in a pick-up truck, were shot dead and two severely injured, reportedly by 21 Para (Special Forces) and allegedly in collusion with Assam Rifles. The army personnel shot dead another seven villagers who reportedly went looking for their missing village youth, the forum said.
“We would, therefore, like to place on record our utter sense of condemnation at this most heinous and inhuman act of the Indian army, and are firm in our belief that their action was an outcome of sweeping powers given under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, which you will agree with us, has been a blot on India’s efforts to solemnly uphold human and constitutional rights for all its citizens. We may also remind you that Oting-like incidents have been happening too often in the states of North East Region wherever AFSPA is enforced – the main reason why the entire region today is up in arms, condemning this horrendous crime against humanity,” stated the NECARF.
The forum urged the PM to “rise to the occasion and help bridge the sharp trust deficit and the growing fear and anxiety among the youth” and demanded the immediate repeal of the “draconian AFSPA”.
The NECARF also mentioned that the Akhand Bharat philosophy and mission should be as much about people as it is about territories, properties, highways, minerals, forests, rivers, etc. Not only should it mean that India owns the land and resources within national territories but also cares about its peoples, it said.
“A monolithic Hindustan sans inclusion and affection as one big diverse family would be antithetical to what India is in essence – a conglomeration of great civilizations. The niyat (intention) need to be “our land, our people”, it said.
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