Oting Killing: Nagas in Delhi and Chennai hold candlelight vigil

Dimapur, Dec. 9 (EMN): Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD), Delhi Eastern Nagaland Union (DENSU) and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Delhi, held a candlelight vigil at Nagaland House in New Delhi on December 6.

A NSUD press release informed that the massacre of 14 innocent civilians in Oting village was appalling and a bleak reminder of the decades of suffering and suppression of the Nagas under the draconian rule of AFSPA.

The organisations condemned the inhumane act of the paramilitary commandos and Assam Rifles and reaffirmed its support to the Konyak community and the victims’ families in particular.

The gathering also called upon the government of India to revoke AFSPA.

In a related programme, All Tamilnadu Students’ Association (ATSA), Students’ Union of University of Madras (SUUM), Naga Students’ Union Chennai (NSUC) and NCF Chennai jointly organised a condolence programme for the victims of Oting village at the main campus of University of Madras on December 9.

An update from NSUC informed that the advisor of ATSA and SUUM, Sunil, has expressed strong support of the Tamil people to the bereaved family members and to the people of Nagaland. He also condemned the act of Indian security forces in killing innocent civilians in Nagaland and appealed for immediate repeal of AFSPA from Nagaland.

NSUC president, Chibenthung, has appealed to repeal AFSPA from Nagaland terming it as a draconian law and stated that it was not the first time being misused in Nagaland but several times in different places in the state.

President of North East India Welfare Association Chennai (NEIWAC) and pastor of NCF Chennai, Wapangtoshi, strongly condemned the incident and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and wished a speedy recovery to the injured people.  He thanked the people of Tamilnadu for always standing up for the Northeast people for the right cause and also appreciated the Greater Chennai City Police for all the security arrangements for the programme.

The programme was attended by people from different communities residing in various parts of Chennai. The gathering also held a candlelight service at the venue.