NH, NSCN (IM) condemn SC’s ruling on Oting massacre

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 19: The Naga Hoho has expressed strong resentment and condemned the Supreme Court of India’s ruling on September 17 closing the criminal proceedings against 30 Indian Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre of December 4, 2021.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that the case may be taken to its logical conclusion if sanction is granted by the Centre (Central Government) is just lip-service, a failure to shoulder their responsibilities as the judiciary branch of the Government and instead choosing to pass the legendary buck to the executive branch, the Hoho said in a statement issued today.

NH said the tragic Oting massacre resulted in the deaths of 14 innocent civilians and remains a painful reminder of the ongoing violence and injustices faced by the Naga people under the draconian law called Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958.

“This Act that allows the Indian Armed Forces to act with impunity and make war upon citizens whom they are sworn to protect, based on the flimsiest or cooked-up evidence, by giving them blanket immunity from prosecution by civilian courts”, it said.

Stating that the Oting massacre is not an isolated incident but is just the most recent Indian Army atrocity in a long history of oppression and suppression of the Naga peoples struggle for civil and political rights, NH said this reign of terror includes the Matikhru massacre 1960, the Oinam bestiality of 1987, the bleak winter of rape and arson in Mokokchung-Akuluto 1994-95, the mayhem of Kohima in 1995, the murder of students in Wuzu 2015, to name a few.

“This monstrous list of atrocities and civilian deaths will keep on increasing so long as the ultimate caretaker of the rule of law in the land, the Supreme Court continues to protect the armed forces from accountability for their actions”, it stated.

NH stated that the Supreme Court’s decision to terminate the case filed by the Special Investigation Team of Nagaland Police sends a harrowing message that justice will remain out of reach for the victims and their families. Viewing the ruling as an outrage to their pursuit of justice and accountability, it said the Oting massacre was a clear violation of human rights and the repudiation of the case undermines both the credibility of the judicial process and the public trust in the rule of law.

The Naga Hoho also urged the Government of Nagaland not to give up in its efforts to seek justice for the victims’ families in particular and the Naga people in general but to continue explore and avail all avenues so that justice is meted out to all the stakeholders. It further called upon all Naga civil society organizations, tribal bodies, human rights defenders, Naga political groups and every Naga citizens to stand united in condemning “this gross injustice”.

NSCN (IM): The NSCN (IM) has expressed strong objection to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of criminal proceedings against 30 Indian army Personnel involved in the Oting Massacre on September 17.

“NSCN/GPRN expresses its strong objection against the denial of justice to the victims. Amongst others, the Oting Massacre was a clear violation of human rights. NSCN/GPRN stands with the victims and ensure that justice is done. No justice loving people who value human rights can forget the behavior of the Indian Army that was reckless in the extreme, till justice is delivered”, it said in a statement.

“The tragic incident of December 4, 2021 at Oting, Nagalim, despite ceasefire is in place since August 1, 1997 when the Army personnel mercilessly gunned down 6 unprovoked Naga innocents mistaken to be a militant and another 8 Naga innocent protestors is a farce, lie and totally dehumanizing the Nagas.

Nagas are justice loving people. We cannot imagine how the perpetrators of a crime of such enormity are allowed to go scot-free. Nagas would always stand and fight for justice against inhumanity and oppression”, it said.

(Page News Service)