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Thursday, Jan 11, 2007
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Antony: no repeal of Armed Forces Act

Sandeep Dikshit

`But we are not against changes to make it more humane'

RANGA PAHAR (NAGALAND): Defence Minister A.K. Antony has ruled out the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the light of civil authorities frequently seeking the Army's assistance to quell violence in the northeast. However, the Centre was keen on making the legislation more humane.

The Minister said the talks with a major Naga militant organisation were on the right track and reflected the "all round desire" in Nagaland for peace.

"Due to the talks and the urge for peace, violence is less," he said.

"The AFSPA has to stay otherwise how can we tackle situations such as those created by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). But wherever possible we will give it a humane touch," Mr. Antony said at the Army's 3 Corps headquarters here.

"I am coming from Assam. The poorest of the poor have been killed. The Army comes into the picture when the civil authorities cannot deal with a law and order situation by themselves. It is not interested in interfering [in domestic issues] and tells us not to involve it too much. When operating in a difficult situation which is not its creation, the Army needs special protection," the Minister reasoned, while responding to a spate of questions by the local media on the AFSPA.

The Minister had arrived from Dinjan in Assam, a ULFA stronghold, where the Army showed evidence of ULFA's arsenal, including a machine gun and AK-47 rifles used in the massacre of migrant labourers from Bihar. Soldiers from the 2 Mountain Division had intercepted and killed the militants while fleeing after gunning down the workers. With several political parties seeking President's rule in Assam, Mr. Antony said the attack was "unprovoked" and "none expected" the ULFA to target defenceless workers. After suspending operations against the militant outfit, the Government was expecting "reciprocal action" but the ULFA used the interregnum to consolidate. "We will meet them head on. The Army will also act. Our stand is very clear. We will not allow this type of heinous violence."

Rejects proposal

The Minister rejected a proposal from some quarters, prominently highlighted in the northeast media, to make the former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, a mediator between the Government and the ULFA. "As we have said, talks have to be direct and violence must be given up." He complimented the people of Nagaland for ensuring a violence-free decade and said the ongoing talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) were "on track" and "smooth."

"The Government is very serious and sincere about a lasting and peaceful solution to the problem."

On frequent clashes between NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (Khaplang), he expressed the Army's inability to intervene as the task was best left to the civil domain. "We want minimum intervention by the security forces."

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