Kohima: Various organisations of Nagaland has observed candlelight vigils last evening throughout the state to pay tribute to the victims of the December 4 Opting massacre and to demand to repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
According to sources, the solemn candlelight vigils were organised across Nagaland by various local organisations and state bodies like Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights Delhi (NPMHR), Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Nagaland University Research Scholars’ Forum (Lummi), Nagaland University Students’ Union (Lumami) and Nagaland University Non-Teaching Staff Association (Lumami). Responding to the call several organisations observed the candlelight services in their respective towns and villages last evening.
The Nagaland State Cabinet has constituted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and given one month’s time to complete the investigation into the firing incidents in the Oting-Tiru village area under Mon district on December 4 and the subsequent incidents at Mon Town.
Informing this to media persons, Nagaland’s Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu yesterday said that the Cabinet held an emergency meeting in Kohima on Tuesday to deliberate on the issue.
The cabinet decision was briefed on the action taken by the Government including setting up of Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an IGP and consisting of four other members, grant of ex-gratia to the next of kin of each of the deceased by the State Government and Government of India. The state cabinet has also decided to write to the Government of India for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 from the State, Krone added.
It was also decided that the Cabinet would support the demands made by the Konyak Union to the President of India.
