For Supreme Court plea on Oting massacre, NSF hails State Govt

Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has praised the Nagaland government for filing a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the central government’s refusal to sanction the prosecution of Indian Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre of December 2021.

In a statement, the NSF stated that this bold move highlights the state’s dedication to justice and accountability in the face of severe human rights violations.

The Oting massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 13 innocent individuals, impacted the Naga community in Nagaland.

Despite the special investigation team (SIT) of the Nagaland government identifying the responsible army personnel, the central government’s denial of prosecution sanction has significantly hindered the pursuit of justice, the NSF stated.

The Supreme Court’s decision to issue a notice to the union ministries of defence and home affairs marks a crucial development.

The NSF also reiterated its call for the repeal of the armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) from Nagaland.

The Oting incident, the NSF said, serves as a reminder of the severe human rights abuses associated with AFSPA, which has often been used under the pretext of maintaining law and order.

The federation urged the government of India to heed the widespread demand for the repeal of AFSPA and to take immediate steps to withdraw the contentious law from Nagaland.

In line with this demand, the NSF reaffirmed its stance on extending non-cooperation to the armed forces until AFSPA is repealed.

Additionally, the NSF extended its condolences to the families of the Oting massacre victims and reiterated its commitment to seeking justice.