Kohima: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has strongly objected to the Supreme Court of India’s decision to terminate criminal proceedings against 30 Army personnel involved in the 2021 Oting massacre, in which 14 civilians were killed.
The ruling, delivered on September 17, has reignited anger among the Naga people, who have long suffered under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958.
In a statement, the GNF expressed deep disappointment over the court’s decision to quash the First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with the killings, calling it a significant setback for justice.
The Forum emphasised that the Oting massacre is not an isolated event but part of a historical pattern of violence and human rights violations against the Naga people, citing previous incidents such as the 1994 Mokokchung atrocities, the 1995 Kohima massacre, and the killings of students in Wuzu, among others.
“These events continue to haunt the Naga people, reinforcing a deep sense of dehumanisation and suppression. The Supreme Court’s decision to quash the FIRs in this case sends a disheartening message that justice will remain out of reach for the victims and their families,” the GNF said in a statement issued by its president Chuba Ozukum and co-convenor Rosemary Dzuvichu.
The Naga people, having endured decades of oppression, they said, see this ruling as a direct affront to their pursuit of justice and accountability. The Oting massacre was a blatant violation of human rights, and the dismissal of the prosecution plea undermines the credibility of the judicial process and erodes public trust in the rule of law, they observed.
The Forum urged the Nagaland state government to file a review petition with the Supreme Court, stressing the need for the state to stand by the victims and pursue justice. They called on the court to reconsider its decision, highlighting the severe human rights violations that occurred during the Oting incident.
The GNF further appealed to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), tribal apex bodies, human rights defenders, Naga political groups, and concerned citizens to unite in protest against the ruling. The group reiterated that AFSPA has long been a tool of militarization and oppression in the Naga homeland and should be repealed.
“The misuse of AFSPA and the continued militarisation of the Naga homeland have long plagued the region, and it is crucial for all parties to raise their voices in solidarity. The recent ruling is not only an attack on the victims of the Oting massacre but also on the collective rights of marginalized communities across India that continue to suffer under AFSPA’s oppressive regime,” the GNF said.
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In the interest of peace, justice, and human dignity, the Global Naga Forum urged
the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling.
The Forum also called on the Government of India to repeal AFSPA and engage in meaningful dialogue to reach an Indo-Naga political settlement.
“The suffering of the Naga people has gone on for too long, and it is time for the State to engage in meaningful dialogue to achieve an Indo Naga political settlement, rather than perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity. The Global Naga Forum stands with the victims and calls for collective action to ensure that the innocent lives lost in the Oting massacre are not forgotten, and that justice prevails,” it said.
Also Read | Oting killings: SC ends criminal proceedings against army personnel