Dimapur: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed “utmost indignation” and deep concern over the Supreme Court’s decision to close criminal proceedings against the 21 Para Special Forces personnel involved in the Oting massacre.
The massacre, which took place on December 4, 2021, in Mon district, Nagaland, resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians. The closure of the case on September 17, has intensified the NSF’s call for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, which they claim shields such actions from accountability.
In a strongly-worded statement, the NSF said it was “appalled” by the Government of India’s refusal to grant prosecution sanction against the accused personnel, despite a comprehensive chargesheet submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT’s findings, based on “irrefutable evidence,” named 30 members of the 21 Para (SF) as responsible for the incident.
The Naga community has consistently demanded accountability for the massacre, in which civilians returning from work were mistakenly identified as insurgents in a botched military operation. While the SIT charged 30 members of the unit, the Government of India never granted the necessary prosecution sanctions, leaving the case in legal limbo.
The NSF condemned the denial of prosecution, questioning the government’s commitment to justice. “What is the Government of India trying to hide? Why is justice being withheld despite the gravity of the crime? By denying prosecution sanction, the government appears to be protecting the guilty rather than upholding the rule of law,” the NSF asked in a letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, which was submitted through the Nagaland Home Commissioner. The NSF accused the government of protecting the guilty instead of upholding the rule of law.
The closure of the Oting massacre case has further fueled anger over AFSPA, a law that grants sweeping powers and legal immunity to armed forces operating in conflict zones. The NSF reiterated its long-standing demand for the immediate repeal of AFSPA, stating that the law has facilitated human rights abuses in Nagaland and the wider Northeast. “This law has no place in a democratic society,” the NSF asserted, describing AFSPA as “draconian” and responsible for creating a culture of impunity.
“The Oting incident is not merely an isolated act of violence but a reflection of systemic injustice that has persisted under AFSPA,” the NSF said. “The massacre stands as a glaring example of how AFSPA is used to shield perpetrators of violence against innocent civilians, deepening the wounds of conflict and alienation,” it added.
The NSF also raised serious concerns over the intelligence failure that led to the massacre. “The wrongful identification of civilians shows a serious lapse in intelligence that has cost precious lives. The intelligence failure must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable,” the NSF added.
The NSF has called for prosecution sanction against the 21 Para (SF) personnel involved in the Oting massacre, along with full accountability and transparency from the Union Government regarding the botched intelligence operation.
The federation also demanded the immediate revocation of AFSPA from Nagaland and the entire Northeast. The NSF warned that failure to meet these demands would result in “democratic agitations,” stating, “The Naga people will not remain silent in the face of such gross injustices.”
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