Dimapur, September 23 (MExN): The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has expressed deep dismay over the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the Oting massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians in Mon district, Nagaland, on December 4, 2021. The student body, representing a coalition of student unions from across the North East, has criticized the court's decision to close criminal proceedings against the accused military personnel of the 21 Para (Special Forces) unit, calling it a denial of justice for the victims and their families.
In a statement issued on Monday, NESO highlighted that despite the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nagaland presenting substantial evidence implicating 30 military personnel, including senior officers, in the massacre, the Supreme Court, on September 17, reportedly closed the criminal proceedings. The statement emphasized that the Union Government’s refusal to sanction prosecution against the accused undermines the legal process and mocks the rule of law.
“This decision is a grave injustice to the victims and their families, who have been waiting for accountability,” NESO stated. “The SIT’s thorough investigation revealed overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, yet the Union Government has not granted the necessary prosecution sanctions.”
NESO warned that the Supreme Court’s ruling exacerbates the sense of alienation and marginalization felt by the people of the North East. The organization argued that the ruling sends a message that civilian lives in the region are expendable under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which grants broad impunity to security forces.
The student body reiterated its long-standing demand for the repeal of AFSPA, a law it claims perpetuates violence and human rights violations across the North East. “The Oting massacre is a tragic reminder of how AFSPA enables such heinous acts to occur with little to no accountability,” the statement read.
NESO called on the Union Government to immediately sanction the prosecution of the 21 Para (SF) personnel involved in the incident and to deliver justice to the victims and their families. The organization warned that failure to do so would deepen the cycle of mistrust and violence in the region.
