The NSCN (IM) calls the Supreme Court dismissal criminal proceedings against 30 army Personnel involved in Oting Massacre on September 17, 2024 denial of justice to the victims. NSF writes to Amit Shah demanding prosecution sanctions, accountability regarding the botched intelligence operation, revocation of AFSPA
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The NSCN (IM) on Thursday said the Indian Supreme Court dismissal of criminal proceedings against thirty Indian army Personnel involved in Oting Massacre on September 17, 2024 comes as a rude shock to the Nagas. It expressed its strong objection against the denial of justice to the victims. Amongst others, the Oting Massacre was a clear violation of human rights, it said.
“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.”
Recalling the “heinous crime” committed against the 14 innocent Naga civilians on December 4,2021, at Oting village Mon district by the 21 21 Para Special Task Force (PSTF) army unit, the NSCN (IM) categorically said that since the day when the “occupation force” was set-foot into “Nagalim”, the strategic policy of its adversary remained the same alleged to “crush the Nagas”.
Stating that it was undoubtedly “structured and institutionalized” in the existing established system itself and materialization, MIP NSCN (IM) through its press release mentioned that “such a monster to unleash, the Indian state under the “AFSPA”; a draconian law, continually branding the Nagas as “Separatist, Secessionist, and Militants” and loose the reign of terror throughout Nagalim.”
Also mentioning the tragic incident of December 4, 2021 at Oting, the NSCN (IM) said “Nagalim” despite the ceasefire has been in place since August 1, 1997, the Indian Army personnel mercilessly “gunned down” six “unprovoked” Naga innocents mistaken to be militants and another eight innocent Naga protestors were killed which accordingly was 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”, said the NSCN(JM) while also adding that Nagas would always stand and fight for justice against “inhumanity and oppression”.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) shot off a letter to the Union Home Ministry through the Nagaland Home Commissioner demanding prosecution sanction against the 21 Para (SF) personnel involved in the December 4, 2021, Oting incident where many including civilians were killed.
The copy of the letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah was sent to the Secretary general United Nations, Secretary General UNPO, Nagaland chief minister, and others for information.
In the letter issued by NSF president, Medovi Rhi, and general secretary, Chumben Khuvung, it mentioned that the NSF while expressing its utmost indignation and deep concern over the closure of criminal proceedings against the personnel of 21 Para (SF) involved in the tragic killing of 14 civilians at Oting, Mon district, Nagaland, on December 4, 2021, the September 17’s Supreme Court’s decision, 2024 to close the FIRs without prosecution further compounds the gross injustice the Naga people have endured.
Stating that the NSF is appalled by the government of India (GoI)’s consistent refusal to grant prosecution sanction against the guilty personnel, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Nagaland Government had filed a chargesheet naming 30 members of the 21 Para (SF), based on irrefutable evidence.
“The charges were not vague allegations but were supported by concrete findings after thorough investigation. Yet, the denial of prosecution raises serious questions: What is the Government of India trying to hide? Why is justice being withheld despite the gravity of the crime? By denying prosecution sanction, the government appears to be protecting the guilty rather than upholding the rule of law”, NSF questioned.
The letter further said the Naga people have waited in vain for accountability in this horrific incident. The Supreme Court’s interim stay of the proceedings in July 2022 and the eventual closure of the case despite the SIT’s findings erodes the trust that the Naga people place in the law of the land and democratic institutions. The Oting incident is not merely an isolated act of violence but a reflection of systemic injustice that has persisted under the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, it added.
The letter mentioned that AFSPA, which has long been opposed by the people of the Northeast, continues to provide blanket immunity to armed forces personnel, effectively sanctioning extrajudicial killings and grave violations of human rights. This law has no place in a democratic society. It is time the Government of India revokes AFSPA from the Naga homeland. The Oting incident stands as a glaring example of how AFSPA is used to shield perpetrators of violence against innocent civilians, deepening the wounds of conflict and alienation.
Condemning the shoddy intelligence that led to the botched operation, the NSF said the wrongful identification of civilians shows a serious lapse in intelligence that has cost precious lives. The intelligence failure must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.
The letter said In light of these grave injustices, the Naga Students’ Federation demands the prosecution sanction against the accused personnel of the 21 Para (SF) involved in the Oting massacre and Full accountability and transparency from the Union Government regarding the botched intelligence operation.
It also demanded the immediate revocation of AFSPA from the Naga homeland and the Northeast.
The NSF If these demands are not addressed, it will be left with no option but to launch democratic agitations to fight for the justice that has been denied to the victims and their families. “The Naga people will not remain silent in the face of such gross injustices. The Naga people demand justice, and we urge the Government of India to stand on the side of justice and accountability,” it said.