The Nagaland state cabinet has resolved to submit a representation to the Central government, demanding to immediately repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the state, said Planning Minister and spokesperson of Nagaland government Neiba Kronu on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kronu said that an emergency cabinet meeting was called to discuss the firing incident in Mon district and the subsequent incident that followed in Mon town.
With regards to the ongoing Hornbill festival, Kronu informed that the cabinet has decided to cease all activities in view of the mourning announced for the deceased in the firing incident.
On behalf of the cabinet, he appealed to all elected representatives, government employees and others to support entrepreneurs who have set up stalls for the Hornbill festival by actively purchasing the items sold by them.
As per the decision of the cabinet, a simple and solemn closing ceremony of the festival will be held by the Tourism department, he added.
Highlighting the action taken by the Nagaland government on the Mon firing incident such as setting up of a SIT headed by an IGP and consisting of four other members, the spokesperson said that the cabinet has directed the SIT to complete its investigation and submit its report within one month period.
Kronu further informed that the cabinet has also decided to support the demands put forward by the Konyak Union to the President of India.
With regard to the firing incident, two people are still in critical condition in Dibrugarh Hospital, six other persons were admitted in CIHSR, Dimapur while 22 persons have been discharged, he added.
