Mizoram: MZP mourns 14 civilians gunned down by security forces
MZP President Lalnunmawia Pautu strongly condemned the Nagaland carnage and described the killing of 14 innocent villagers of Oting as 'cowardly', saying that the security personnel did not try to verify whether the victims were friends or foes before opening fire.
AIZAWL
Mizoram's apex students' body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), on december 9, joined NE-wide condolence for 14 Naga civilians gunned down by the security forces on December 4 in Nagaland's Mon district, and protests against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.
MZP President Lalnunmawia Pautu strongly condemned the Nagaland carnage and described the killing of 14 innocent villagers of Oting as 'cowardly', saying that the security personnel did not try to verify whether the victims were friends or foes before opening fire.
"The Indian government discriminated against the people of Northeastern states by the fact that the AFSPA has been imposed in the region, resulting in the security forces killing innocent civilians in a number of incidents," Pautu said.
He said that the security forces had been indulging in wanton and reckless killings of civilians in the name of fighting insurgency and in the meantime hiding behind the AFSPA which prevented any soldiers from being prosecuted.
"Lifting of the draconian law to stop the sufferings of the common people in the Northeast has been demanded by the MZP and the movement against the act would continue unless it is lifted," he said.
The MZP alleged that the AFSPA, which they described as being in force only in theNnortheast region, showed that the centre regarded the people of the region as second class citizens.
They said that the centre should lift the AFSPA immediately if it regards the people of the northeast as Indian citizens just like the people in other states.
The Oting carnage has sent shockwaves across Mizoram which had experienced brutal persecution and excesses in the hands of the security forces during the 20 years of insurgency.
Candle light services were organised and the people used social media and newspapers and television local channels to express their condolences to the people of Nagaland.
It may be mentioned that the demand for repeal of AFSPA has gained momentum in the state in the wake of the Nagaland carnage.
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