The Konyak tribe of Nagaland, the biggest tribal group in the state, has decided to boycott the Indian Army.
The boycott would involve not being part of peace activities, not heeding to the Army's order in the state where AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act) is in force and seeking revenge for the killing of 14 civilians by security forces recently.
The demand of the tribal group—one among 16 tribes in Nagaland—include a public apology by the Army on the incident of the botched operation, and repeal of AFSPA.
Nagaland assembly has convened a special session on December 20 to decide on asking the Centre to withdraw the AFSPA.
While in rest of India AFSPA cannot be imposed without the permission of the state government (except under the provision of Article 355 owing to law and order degradation), in Manipur and Nagaland, the governor would have the final say on imposing or withdrawing AFSPA. This is because these two states are prone to insurgency and part of the law and order is looked after by the ministry of home affairs, and the governor has been given the special power in this regard.
However, Konyaks, who are mostly settled at the Nagaland border with Myanmar, have decided to fight the Army this time in a unique way. Since the 1970s, a large number of people belonging to the tribe has been fighting against the Indian Army in the Myanmar jungle.
“They (the tribe) are angry and they don’t care for their lives. This is the main tribe in Nagaland which also resides in Myanmar in large numbers. So, they form the biggest part of the insurgent groups operating in Myanmar against India since the 70s,” said Roben Ao, a teacher in Nagaland.
That they have the biggest representation in the church and in Naga Hoho (the biggest civil body of Nagaland) is evident from the fact that all other tribes have supported the boycott call.
“Yes, the Army would have to apologise to Konyak’s local village head by folding their hands and then they would have to punish the jawans and officers involved in the firing. Till then we will support them,” said Akum Naga, a businessman in Nagaland.
Akum, also convener of the Nagaland Business Association, has, however, different views regarding the AFSPA.
“Yes AFSPA is brutal, no doubt. But before withdrawing it, the state government would have to pass a Goonda Act which would act tough on extortionists, be it political workers (insurgents are called political workers in Nagaland) or police or any security agency,” he said.
Chance of the Centre withdrawing AFSPA in Nagaland is slim, but Konyak’s agitation has put the security forces on the spot.
