NSF lauds Nagaland government; says Centre’s refusal to prosecute Oting accused an ‘impediment to justice’

DIMAPUR — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has lauded the government of Nagaland for filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court (SC), challenging the Centre’s refusal to prosecute the 30 Indian Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre.

This bold step, the student body said, underscores the state government’s commitment to justice and accountability in the face of grave human rights violations.

This statement came two days after the apex court issued a notice to the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs after the state government filed a petition in connection with the December 2021 firing incident that killed 13 innocent civilians (excluding one civilian killed in a protest that erupted in Mon town, a day after the tragic incident).

In a press release, the NSF termed the Central government’s refusal to grant prosecution sanction, despite the identification of the “culpable army personnel” by the state government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), as a “significant impediment to justice”.

Describing the SC’s notice to the Centre as a significant development, the student body stated that it “stands in solidarity with the state government’s petition, emphasising 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) v. Union of India case”.

While commending the state government for its unwavering dedication to seeking justice for the Oting massacre victims, it also urged all Naga citizens and civil society organisations to stand united and extend their support in order to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The federation also reiterated its call to repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Naga-inhabited areas, citing the Oting incident as a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues associated with the contentious law, including human rights abuses.

Reaffirming its stance on extending non-cooperation to the armed forces until AFSPA is repealed from the “Naga homeland”, it called upon all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to implement the same in letter and spirit within their respective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 said while reiterating its commitment to the quest for justice.

Also read: Supreme Court hears Oting firing case, issues notice to Centre