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Dimapur, December 7 (MExN): The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) has written a representation to the Chief Ministers of the 7 North East State seeking answers from the Union Government and the NE States Governments as to who authorised the security forces unit to cross the state border to Nagaland and carry out the shooting.
The representation was submitted following the incident where several civilians were killed by security forces in Oting village under Mon district on December 4.
NEDF representation demanded an independent, credible and impartial investigation team; appealed to the CMs of the region and PM of India to provide immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh each as relief and rehabilitation of the families who lost their bread earners. It further asked the North East CMs to call an emergency meeting to discuss the situation of high handedness of AR under AFSPA and take steps to repeal AFSPA from the region.
It also appealed to respect the recommendation by the Justice Santosh Hegde Commission, Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission, 12 Special Rapporteur and Treaty Bodies of Human Right Council of UN to repeal AFSPA as a matter of urgency. The NEDF urged the CMs and the Prime Minister to invite the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Execution, Special Rapporteur on Right of Minorities, and Special Rapporteur on Right of Indigenous peoples to witness the grave human right violation in the name of counter insurgency.
CSCHR: Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) said that the chief minister of Manipur should join the other NE chief ministers pressing for repeal of AFSPA. The CSCHR reminded the Government of India of its obligation to not only institute prompt, though, independent and impartial investigation but also for restitution of the losses suffered by the families of the victims caused by the “wrongful act” of the State.
It said that the Oting “massacre” is not an isolated incident, but it is yet another manifestation of the consistent pattern of atrocities committed by the lndian military deployed under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in the North East region for more than half a century. “Mention may be made of Heirangoithong massacre, Operation Bluebird (Oinam massacre), Makokchung massacre, RMC massacre, Malom massacre etc,” it said. This unfortunate incident has rekindled the longstanding demand for the repeal of AFSPA. It urged the Government of Manipur to put its weight for the repeal of AFSPA in order to fulfil the long-standing demand of the people of Manipur.
ANS: Axom Nagarik Samaj (ANS) in its condemnation said, “At this moment of crisis and sorrow, our heart goes to the members of the affected families. We have no words to condemn this massacre by the security forces. Saying that it was a case of mistaken identity doesn’t hold water. It is no argument. It has absolutely no meaning for the deceased and their families. This wanton killing of ordinary people by the security forces must stop for once and all.”
The samaj in its press releases demanded that all the perpetrators of the crime must be punished.
“This is also the time and occasion to repeal the draconian AFSPA by the Centre. We welcome the public denouncement of this Act by the incumbent chief minister of Nagaland. But in this regard, we must see some concrete steps on the part of the Nagaland government so that we can believe that the chief minister means what he says,” it stated.
“The situation in Nagaland is tense. But the ordinary people there want to lead a normal and peaceful life. It is the responsibility of the Central Government to create a conducive atmosphere for this. But the Centre seems to be interested only in insidious politics which has plunged the state to permanent state of anarchy and uncertainty. This must stop. Otherwise peace and normalcy will never return to Nagaland,” it added.
The press release was issued by Harekrishna Deka, President, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Executive President, Prasanta Rajguru, Vice President, Paresh Malakar, General Secretary, Axom Nagarik Samaj.
ANSAM: All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) “reminded all the Naga people to stand united, rising upon all the differences, at this crucial juncture and walk the most solidarity road to secured justice for all the victims and to achieve our greater goal”.
In a statement today, ANSAM said that such an “ugly and cruel war unleashing upon the unarmed civilians” is nothing but a state sponsored terrorism, “which is absolutely a cross violation of human rights and unjustifiable”. It said that “killing innocent civilians in the pretext of mistaken identity is an unpardonable act of dehumanization.”
The ANSAM said that whilst the whole Nagas were waiting for the peaceful and logical solution of Indo-Naga political issues, it is very unfortunate that the dead toll of Naga civilians and national workers have been increasing in the cruel hands of Indian security forces.
“That, the December 4, 2021 terror incident is not unprecedented as the Government of India ever attempted to suppress and oppress the Naga people’s movement for self-determination through militarization and further trying to criminalize our political issue is highly unacceptable under any circumstances,” it said.
“If the Government of India is committed to a peaceful settlement, all such coward acts of her security forces must be put to stop with immediate effect,” it said.
“Relatively Nagas have been enjoying peace all over, whereas, imposition of a draconian law, the so called AFSPA, in Naga areas and tagged under ‘disturbed areas’ remains ever a tragedy for civilians and thereby breach the peaceful atmosphere in the villages,” said ANSAM. The promulgation of AFSPA, 1958 in the North East is the mother of all adversity resulting with Army atrocities against the innocent public in the region repeatedly, it stated and demanded immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the NE to usher peace in the region.
“Booked all the culprits, officers and army personnel who are involved in the massacred and exemplary punishment should be given to the perpetrators,” it demanded.
NEICC: North East India Christian Council (NEICC), which is a body representing the major Protestant Churches in North East India said it is utterly disturbed on hearing about the gunning down of villagers in Mon District of Nagaland by security forces. “As we express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Nagaland, we also uphold all the bereaved families in our prayers. At the same time, we also appeal to one and all to maintain peace and calm,” a statement said. “As such incidents have recurred time and again, and in order that recurrence in the future is avoided, we fervently call upon all legislators and parliamentarians of the North Eastern states to come together and work for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act,” it appealed.
PNUD: Poumai Naga Union, Delhi (PNUD) in a statement has expressed shocked and said that these deaths in any circumstances are disturbing, creating fear and insecurity in the region, it stated. It condemned the act in strongest term and denounced the aggression.
PNU: Poumai Naga Union (PNU) in a press statement said that the indiscriminate firing and killing of civilians of such intensity is nothing but genocide perpetrated by occupying forces under the act of AFSPA. PNU stated that this brutal act of the Indian Para military forces brings back the memories of so many traumatic perpetration of the past by Indian occupying forces on Nagas.
ZSUD: Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi (ZSUD) vehemently the misuse of AFSPA 1958 which provides immunity to security forces of sweeping powers but fails to protect the citizens from undemocratic and unconstitutional actions of the forces. It has called for booking and punishing those responsible as per the law of the land immediately.
Maram orgs: Maram Union, Maram Students and Maram Women Union in a joint statement expressed anguish over the horrific. It stated that, there can never be any justifications for brutal murder of civilians who were innocent and unarmed. “Such gross violation of human rights tantamount to genocide and war crimes during peace time,” it stated.
Thangal orgs: Thangal Union and Thangal Students Union in its press communiqué called for punishing those perpetrators and extended solidarity. A statement issued in this regard strongly condemned the murder of the innocent lives cold blooded by Indian forces 21 Para special forces, demanded justice for those lost souls and asked the Nagaland Government and Government of India to take up appropriate actions to deliver the justice.
