NEW YORK (TIP): “The tragic killings of 14 innocent civilians in Nagaland once again shows the abusive nature of the ‘armed forces special powers act,’ and we are calling upon the Modi administration to repeal this law that gives armed forces deployed in internal conflicts broad powers to use lethal force while not being accountable for their actions,” said George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA. “An apology by the Home Minister for this horrific killing or simply ordering another inquiry would not suffice, but rather the government should permit prosecuting those who were responsible for this terrible deed,” added Mr. Abraham. The AFSPA was supposed to be a short-term measure enacted almost six decades ago to check separatist movement in the Naga Hills and is currently in use in other north-eastern states and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Human Rights Watch, AFSPA gives armed forces broad powers to make arrests on flimsy pretexts, conduct warrantless searches, and demolish structures in the name of “aiding civil power.” The act violates international human rights law protections, including the right to life, the right to be protected from arbitrary arrest and detention. It also denies the victims and their families the right to a remedy.

On December 4, 2021, soldiers from the 21 para special forces army unit shot and killed six coal miners in Nagaland’s Mon district. The deaths led to further violence, resulting in the loss of another eight lives.