Reiterates AFSPA repeal call; reinforces non-cooperation with Armed Forces
Kohima, July 17 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) commended the Nagaland State Government for filing a writ petition (criminal) in the Supreme Court of India challenging the Union Government’s denial of sanction to prosecute the Indian Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre of December 2021.
The bold step underscores the State’s commitment to justice and accountability in the face of grave human rights violations, the Federation said in a statement.
As per the NSF, the Oting massacre, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 innocent lives, shook the entire Naga community and highlighted the urgent need for accountability and justice. Despite a thorough investigation by the State Government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), which identified the culpable army personnel, the Central Government’s refusal to grant prosecution sanction has been a significant impediment to justice, it asserted.
The Supreme Court's decision to issue a notice to the Union Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs is a significant development, it added. To this end, the NSF conveyed its solidarity with the State Government’s petition and underscored the necessity of judicial review in cases where there is a refusal of prosecution sanction, as upheld in the landmark Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Vs Union of India case.
Meanwhile, the Federation reiterated its call for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Naga homeland. The Oting incident is a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues associated with AFSPA, which has often led to severe human rights abuses under the guise of maintaining law and order, it said. Accordingly, the NSF called upon the Government of India to recognise the “widespread demand for the repeal of AFSPA and take immediate steps to withdraw the contentious law from the Naga homeland.”
In line with its demand, it further reaffirmed its stance on extending non-cooperation to the armed forces until AFSPA is repealed from the Naga homeland. Hence, the Federation called upon all its federating units and subordinate bodies to implement the non-cooperation directive in both letter and spirit within their respective jurisdictions. This stance is not merely symbolic but a substantive demand for accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of the Naga people, it asserted.
The NSF also extended its condolences to the families of the victims of the Oting massacre and reiterated its commitment to the quest for justice. The Federation will continue to monitor the developments in this case and work alongside other civil society organisations to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and justice is served, assured the statement issued by the NSF President Medovi Rhi and Asst. General Secretary Kenilo Kent.
It further called on all Naga citizens and civil society organisations to stand united in this crucial moment and support the State Government’s efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and bring about much-needed reforms.
