70 km long march against civilian killing by Indian Army

India: Hundreds of Nagas joined a two-day walkathon from Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur to state capital Kohima.

The participants walked a distance of more than 70 km, demanding the repeal of black law, Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) and justice for the 14 civilians who were killed by the Indian army in Mon district.

The walkathon, which stemmed out of social media posts following the Mon killings, gained the support of various tribal bodies and civil society organisations in the state.

It began from the Super Market area of Dimapur with volunteers and participants holding placards, demanding the repeal of the draconian law Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) and justice for the victims.

Rukewezo Wetsah, one of the coordinators of the walkathon, said it was a peaceful, silent and democratic way to convey the resentment of the people over AFSPA, and reassert “our dignity as human beings”.

Fourteen people were killed by Indian forces in Mon district over December 4 and 5, leading to outrage and renewing the demand for repeal of AFSPA.

The participants spent the night at Piphema, halfway to Kohima, before re-starting the march on Tuesday morning for the state capital.

The Konyak Union, the main body of the tribe to which the victims belonged, had demanded that justice be done by January 10.