Terror must be condemned equally, says organisation
Tuensang, May 4 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), while still mourning the “tragic and unresolved Oting massacre of December 2021,” conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families of those killed in the terror attack at Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22. Among the victims were 25 tourists and a pony operator, it noted.
In a press release, the ENPO strongly condemned the “heinous act of terrorism,” joined the nation in mourning the loss, and wished a speedy recovery to the 20 injured. It saluted the “supreme sacrifice” of pony operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who “courageously resisted the terrorists,” adding that his bravery deserves national recognition.
The ENPO welcomed the Government of India’s (GoI) “prompt and decisive measures” in response to the Pahalgam attack, including operational freedom to the Army for counter-terror operations, suspension of visas and deportation of Pakistani nationals, financial assistance to victims’ families, and international diplomacy to rally global support against terrorism. It also commended the Union Home Minister’s leadership in chairing a high-level security review in Srinagar and visiting the grieving families.
Further, the ENPO said it was “heartened” to see Opposition parties seeking a special Parliament session to discuss the attack, calling it a reflection of “unity, equality, and fraternity” as enshrined in the Constitution.
However, while supporting the government’s firm response to Pahalgam, the ENPO fervently appealed for equal urgency in addressing the Oting massacre. The “commendable stand” on Pahalgam, it said, highlights the “gross inaction and denial of justice” in Oting.
It recalled that “14 innocent and unarmed Konyak Naga coal miners were gunned down at point blank by the 21 Para Special Forces” in Oting and asserted that the “killing of innocent citizens—whether by state or non-state forces, rich or poor—must be equally condemned, and the same standard of justice must be applied.”
It stressed that the GoI must uphold the constitutional principle of “equality before the law,” lamenting that no action has been taken against the personnel involved in the Oting killings, even after more than two years.
“Any state force that kills its own innocent citizens has committed an act of terror; therefore, court martial proceedings must be initiated against the personnel involved,” it stated.
Accordingly, the ENPO demanded humbly but firmly that both Pahalgam and Oting victims be treated with equal dignity and justice.
It called for a transparent military court martial with full public accountability and urged consideration of the victims’ economic backgrounds—whether affluent tourists or poor miners—when providing ex-gratia relief.
It also appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to personally visit Oting, Chi, and Jakphang villages in Mon District and pay homage at the mass gravesites, stating that such a gesture would bring immense emotional healing.
“While the Church may teach us to forgive in accordance with the Holy Bible, as Indian citizens, we seek justice as guaranteed by the Constitution. Forgiveness must not substitute accountability,” it stated.
The ENPO further observed that both Pahalgam and Oting point to a “lack of robust intelligence and operational planning,” and urged the Government to strengthen internal security systems to prevent such tragedies.
Reiterating its full support to the Government’s stand against terrorism, the ENPO affirmed that no innocent Indians—whether from Kashmir or Nagaland, whether rich tourist or poor miner—should be denied justice.
“As we mourn the loss of lives in Pahalgam, we cannot let the memories of Oting fade into silence, because death is not replaceable by any valuable gems on Earth,” it added, while praying for peace, justice, and healing for all victims.
