Kohima, December 21 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President, K Therie today condemned the resolution adopted in the 10th Session of 13th NLA on December 20 stating: "People want Justice not apology.”
The entire length and breadth of the NLA’s December 20 resolution was “demeaned by the call for apology,” Therie maintained in a press release.
“The call for apology over a massacre is an insult to the bereaved families, their villages and community of Nagaland. It is an insult to the voice of the people crying for justice,” he said, adding that the NLA has “shamed Naga bravehearts.”
“Apology over the massacre is not acceptable. Killing and apologies cannot be the law of precedence,” he argued.
Meanwhile, the NPCC President further stated that ‘towards justice, the resolution is blunt’ and said that the Chief Minister and Home Minister are answerable to the people of Nagaland.
Stating that both cannot “run away from their responsibilities,” he asserted that the State Chief Minister and Home Minister should answer whether 21 paramilitary troopers came “with their knowledge or not.”
“If yes why? If not, why should they not proceed for criminal procedure against them? They cannot take cover under AFSPA. I have already explained earlier,” Therie noted.
“People’s demand is justice. We want the culprits be booked according to law. Instead of bringing the criminals to book, the Assembly surprisingly wants them to apologize and escape from the crime of massacre,” he stated.
He further alleged that resolution is trying to “impresses that the State is innocent, making it look like the army has conducted the operation without authority from Nagaland State.”
“If so, army has violated the Constitution and has committed an untenable crime against humanity. If not, army should point out who is responsible,” he added.
According to Constitutional provisions, the army has no “authority to just come from another state and indiscriminately shoot and kill innocent and peaceful citizens,” the NPCC President further argued.
“We are sorry for the people. Given opportunity Congress will deliver justice,” he assured.
