Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has blackened the image of India and should be removed.

“We are Indians and India is the biggest democratic country in the world. AFSPA is a draconian law and should be removed from our country. Many laws can be handled. But this law has blackened the image of our country. This is my opinion,” Neiphiu Rio said.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, too, called for a repeal of the AFSPA.

Neiphiu Rio on Monday visited Mon district and met the family members of 14 persons who were killed in the firing incidents in an area between Tiru and Oting village and Mon town on Saturday and Sunday.

One security personnel was also killed in the incident.

The Nagaland Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, cabinet colleagues and senior officials of Nagaland police and state government, took part in the mass funeral programme held at the Mon helipad ground.

Rio said that the Centre has given an ex-gratia of Rs 11 lakh each to the families of those killed in the firing incidents.

“I spoke with the Union Home Minister and they are taking the matter very seriously. The Centre has given an ex-gratia of Rs 11 lakh each to the families of deceased persons. Our government has also given Rs 5 lakh each to the deceased people’s families and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons,” Rio said.

Thousands of people, village council members of Oting, Jakphang, Chi villages, leaders of different organisations, civil society groups, students’ organizations, NGOs, and political groups were also present at the mass funeral of the 14 deceased people.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma too called for a repeal of the AFSPA.

After the killing of the 14 civilians in the shooting incidents, many organizations, civil society groups, tribal groups, students’ bodies, political parties have raised their voices, demanding immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the northeastern region.