Global Naga Forum discontent with SC order on Oting massacre

Guwahati, Sept 22: The Global Naga Forum (GNF), an international platform representing Nagas worldwide, has expressed strong opposition to the Supreme Court of India’s ruling on September 17, 2023, which terminated the criminal proceedings against 30 Army personnel involved in the 2021 Oting massacre. The incident, which occurred in Mon district of Nagaland, resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians in a botched security operation.
On Saturday, the GNF urged the Nagaland government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking to reinstate the criminal proceedings against the army personnel involved. The Forum stressed that justice for the victims of the massacre is of utmost importance and called on the state government to take a firm stand in pursuing legal action.
This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 14 innocent civilians and remains a painful reminder of the ongoing violence and injustices faced by the Naga people, perpetuated under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958.
In a statement here on Saturday, GBF convenor Chuba Ozukum and co-convenor Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu said Oting massacre is not an isolated incident but part of a long history of brutality, including the 1994 Mokokchung rape and pillage, the 1995 Kohima massacre, and the killing of students in Wuzu, among others. “These events continue to haunt the Naga people, reinforcing a deep sense of dehumanization and suppression,” they said.
“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 Naga people, who have endured decades of oppression, view this ruling as an affront to their pursuit of justice and accountability. The Oting massacre was a clear violation of human rights, and the attempt to dismiss the plea for prosecution undermines both the credibility of the judicial process and public trust in the rule of law,” the GNF said.
The Global Naga Forum urged the Nagaland government to immediately file a review petition in the Supreme Court. It is imperative that the state takes a firm stance in defending the rights of its people and ensures that justice is delivered. The Supreme Court must reconsider its ruling, taking into account the severe human rights violations that occurred during the Oting incident. The state government must stand by the victims and their families, upholding its commitment to truth, justice, and the dignity of the Naga people.
The GNF called upon civil society organizations, tribal apex bodies, human rights defenders, Naga political groups, and all concerned citizens to unite in protest against this grave injustice. The misuse of AFSPA and the continued militarization of the Naga homeland have long plagued the region, and all parties must 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.
In the interest of peace, justice, and human dignity, the Global Naga Forum urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling. The Forum also appealed to the Union government to repeal AFSPA, an outdated law that has no place in a democratic society. 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 stood with the victims and called for collective action to ensure that the innocent lives lost in the Oting massacre are not forgotten and that justice prevails.