‘Friends of the hill people’ harassing under AFSPA

The Naga Hoho, while expressing dismay over the reported “arson, firing and high handedness” of the Assam Rifles (AR) on the “innocent public” in Kiphire on April 28, has stated that the public should have “cooperated” with the district administration in order to “book the culprits and impose befitting penalty which could have been exemplary for those Armed forces operating in Naga areas.”

The AR asking the “naïve local carpenters to bring underground cadres was akin to waging war against the people of Kiphire in particular and Nagas in general,” the Naga Hoho stated in a press communiqué from the Hoho’s President, Keviletuo Kiewhuo, and General Secretary, P. Chuba Ozukum. They have appealed to the Government to look into the matter with seriousness to remove the “social unrest” without further delay.

“The much publicized slogan of the Assam Rifles “friends of the hill people” has no meaning at all if they are to harass people from time to time under the guise of law and order situation vis-à-vis the Armed Forces Special Powers Act,” expressed the communiqué. Meanwhile, the apex Naga body has also expressed “sadness” for the “act of vandalism” by the public of Kiphire town, damaging public property, i.e., the Deputy Commissioner’s residence.