Participants gather at the Clock Tower in Tuensang town on December 5, during a candle light vigil to mourn the civilians who were killed by security forces in Oting, Mon. (Morung Photo)
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Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | December 5
Candle light vigils were observed across Nagaland on December 5 evening to mourn the civilians who were killed by security forces in Oting, Mon.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) observed a candle light service and prayer session in Kohima, with the federation’s President, Kegwayhun Tep demanding that the Government of India immediately stop its policy of militarisation of Naga inhabited areas on the pretext of solving the indo-Naga political issue “through petty lip servicing.”
Tep said that the federation has lost all hope in an honourable and acceptable solution to the vexed Naga issue with the continued atrocities committed by the armed forces of the Government of India. The NSF demanded that the Government of India set up a high powered committee to conduct an impartial probe into the matter and bring the culprits to justice immediately.
It also demanded repeal of AFSPA. Tep said the federation sees no rationale as to why the entire Naga inhabited areas in India is tagged as ‘Disturbed Area’ and the draconian AFSPA is thrust upon its people when the Indo-Naga political dialogue being held at the Prime Minister’s level is at a very crucial stage.
“More so, the prevailing law and order situation in the Naga inhabited areas does merit the Act which is only aimed as a tool for psychological warfare against the Naga people. It is only because of AFSPA that the armed forces continue to operate with impunity while forgetting all values that inhibits a sober soul,” the federation said.
Meanwhile vendors at the Night Bazaar in Kohima closed down their stalls at 7:00 PM today in solidarity with victims of Oting.
In Kisama, music and traffic came to a still, with hundreds joining a peaceful candle light vigil to express resentment and mourn the victims.
Initiated by the six Eastern Naga Students bodies in Kohima, the march commenced from the Konyak Morung and was joined by several well wishers, including festival attendees and tourists. During a short programme held near the entry point, representatives from Konyak Union Kohima, ENCSU; Yimchungrü Students' Union Kohima, ENPUK, Konyak Students' Union Kohima, and Eastern Naga Students' Federation spoke during the event.
"We never imagined such a catastrophe till this day. We have heard and recalled stories of atrocities by Indian Army in the past but we never imagined a day like this will befall on us," one leader expressed. The speakers called for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
In Dimapur, a candle light service was held at DC court area. Under the directive of Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), the Dimapur Eastern Naga Students’ Union (DENSU) and Eastern Naga Peoples’ Union Dimapur (ENPUD) spearheaded the vigil which was hosted by the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU).
Almost every civil society organizations from Dimapur attended the service to show solidarity with the bereaved families. The gathering voiced out one cry to “Revoke AFSPA 1958 immediately.”
Speaking at the vigil, former President and Advisor of ENPO Kekongchim declared that this was not a fight of the Konyaks, or of the ENPO, “but it is a fight of the Nagas to right to self determine their own future as a people.”
“The security forces deployed by the Indian Government are to secure and protect the innocent civilians and not to murder them,” he said. “With such act, how can India be called a civilized nation,” he questioned.
Representatives from several organizations also spoke during the service. While condolences to the bereaved families, the gathering of student bodies and civil societies pledged to take further course of action until justice is served.
In Zunheboto, a candle light vigil at Zunheboto was organised by the Sümi Kiphimi Küqhakulu (All Sümi Students Union) on December 5 in remembrance of those killed in Mon.
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