A day after the Supreme Court of India issued a notice to the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, on the persecution of the 30 Indian Army personnel who are accused of killing of 13 civilians at Oting Village, Mon District, in a botched operation on 4th December 2021, the Konyak Union has expressed its gratitude to the Nagaland Government for its decisive action in prosecuting the Para Commandos.

“This move to take the matter at the Supreme Court is a significant step toward ensuring justice for the victims of this horrific incident”, the apex body of the Konyak community stated in a press release on Tuesday. The Union also said that it remains hopeful that “the state government will continue its relentless efforts to bring justice, thereby restoring hope and faith in our government and legal system.”

The State Government is challenging the Central Government’s decision not to persecute the 30 Armymen under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958. The Supreme Court has sent the notice to the Centre on 15th July 2024 after it previously stayed the criminal persecution in July 2022.

The Konyak Union stated, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the state government for its diligent pursuit of this case in the Supreme Court, following the critical findings by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).”

The Union also mentioned that it had earlier met with State Home Minister Yanthungo Patton and urged that the Oting case be pursued at the highest judicial level. On Tuesday, KU has said that it is “optimistic that justice will be delivered to the victims and that those found guilty, regardless of their uniform, will receive appropriate punishment.”

Such a grave and gruesome crime must not go unpunished, setting a precedent for the future, it added.

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