In pursuant of an earlier letter sent by North East Dialogue Forum on repealing The  Armed  Forces (Special  Powers)  Act,  1958: and in solidarity and oneness with the  Legislative  Assembly of  Nagaland,  the members of the forum had written letters to the speakers of all the Northeastern states to adopt a  resolution in the forthcoming session that  The  Armed  Forces  (Special  Powers)  Act,1958  be repealed by the  Centre with retrospective effect.

They argued and placed the view stating that ‘ if the three farm laws can be done so and if the tune  “Abide with me…”  can be replaced by another in  Beating the  Retreat on the last day of  Republic  Day observation in that  “Abide with me…” is a colonial legacy, so is  AFSPA,  1958  as it was first promulgated by the  British in  1942.

AFSPA  has no place in a  democracy,  no matter what the warts are. And all the  States in the region should transcend partisanship,  political ideology, and brownie points, the letter from the North East Dialogue Forum echoed.

Expressing hope of positive action,  even though despite the  Nagaland  Assembly resolution,  the  Centre has instead extended operation of  AFSPA  to another six months, w.e.f.  30/12/2021 which the Forum termed as ‘is adding insult to injury and putting salt to the wound’.

However,  let us continue to follow democratic principles no matter what be the tests and trials.

The letter released to the media was signed by Dr. P.B. Basaiawmoit, Consultant, and Anthony Debbarma, member of the forum.

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