Welcoming the state government’s writ petition in the Supreme Court against the government of India for refusal to grant prosecution sanction, Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) said this bold step underscores the state’s commitment to justice and accountability in the face of grave human rights violations.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) on Wednesday commended the Nagaland government’s act of filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging the central Government’s denial of sanction to prosecute the Indian Army personnel involved in the December 2021 Oting massacre.
This bold step underscores the state’s commitment to justice and accountability in the face of grave human rights violations, it said.
According to NSF’s president, Medovi Rhi, and assistant general secretary, Kenilo Kent, through which a press statement was released, stated that the Oting massacre, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 innocent lives, including six mine workers and seven villagers, shook the entire Naga community and highlighted the urgent need for accountability and justice.
Despite a thorough investigation by the State Government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), which identified the culpable army personnel, the Central Government’s refusal to grant prosecution sanction has been a significant impediment to justice.
NSF said that the Supreme Court’s decision to issue a notice to the Union Ministry of Defence and Home Affairs was a significant development.
NSF said that the federation stands in solidarity with the state government’s petition, emphasizing the necessity of judicial review in cases where there is a refusal of prosecution sanction, as upheld in the landmark of Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) vs Union of India case.
Further, the Federation reiterates its call for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Naga homeland.
The Oting incident, NSF said was a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues associated with AFSPA, which has often led to severe human rights abuses under the guise of maintaining law and order. We call upon the Government of India to recognize the widespread demand for the repeal of AFSPA and take immediate steps to withdraw this contentious law from the Naga homeland.
In line with this, the NSF reaffirmed its stance on extending non-cooperation to the armed forces until AFSPA is repealed from the Naga homeland.
The federation further called on all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to implement this non-cooperation directive in both letter and spirit within their respective jurisdictions.
“This stance is not merely symbolic but a substantive demand for accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of the Naga people”, the NSF added.
Meanwhile, the NSF has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Oting massacre and reiterates its commitment to the quest for justice by citing that the federation would continue to monitor the developments in this case and work alongside other civil society organizations to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard, and justice is served.
Later, the NSF appreciated the Nagaland state government for its unwavering dedication to seeking justice for the Oting massacre victims and called upon all Nagas and civil society organizations to stand united in this crucial moment and support the state government’s efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and bring about much-needed reforms.
Konyak Union hails it as “significant step towards ensuring justice”
Meanwhile, The Konyak Union (KU) welcomed the Nagaland Government’s “decisive action in prosecuting 30 para commandos’ personnel of the 21 Para, Alpha team, involved in the December 4, 2021, Oting village massacre.
The team was involved in the tragic massacre of 14 innocent civilians at Oting village on December 4, 2021.
According to KU, the state government’s move to take the matter to the Supreme Court is a significant step towards ensuring justice for the victims of the “horrific incident” and further noted that the KU had previously met with Nagaland’s home minister, Y Patton, to appraise the matter and advocated for the case to be pursued at the highest judicial level.
“We are optimistic that justice will soon be delivered to the victims and that those found guilty, regardless of their uniform, will receive appropriate punishment. Such a grave and gruesome crime must not go unpunished, setting a precedent for the future,” KU added.
The Konyak Union also noted that as guardian of its people, it is steadfast in its commitment to upholding peace and tranquillity in the region and concurrently bore the “responsibility to protect and safeguard our citizens from any aggressors and criminals.
“We trust in the legal system of our great democracy and have placed our faith in the law enforcement agencies and the state government to see this matter through to a just conclusion,” it said.
Commending the Nagaland state government for its diligent pursuit of this case in the Supreme Court, following the critical findings by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Konyak Union further said that the SIT’s uncovering of essential information regarding the botched ambush has “been pivotal in advancing this case.”
The union further extended its hope that the government of Nagaland would continue its relentless efforts to bring justice, thereby restoring hope and faith in government and legal system.
It further added that the KU stands committed to supporting all initiatives that aim to ensure justice and protect the rights of our people.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued by the Nagaland Advocate General’s office on July 15 informed the Nagaland state government has filed Writ Petition (Criminal) in the Supreme Court concerning the incident and challenging the Union Government’s decision to decline sanction to the state authorities from proceeding against the army personnel.