The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today commended the Nagaland State Government for filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging the central Government’s denial of sanction to prosecute the Indian Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre of December 2021.

“This bold step underscores the state’s commitment to justice and accountability in the face of grave human rights violations,” stated the NSF in a press release issued by President Medovi Rhi and General Secretary Kenilo Kent.

The Oting massacre, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 innocent lives, including six mine workers and seven villagers, shook the entire Naga community and highlighted the urgent need for accountability and justice. Despite a thorough investigation by the State Government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), which identified the culpable army personnel, the Central Government’s refusal to grant prosecution sanction has been a significant impediment to justice.

The Supreme Court’s decision to issue a notice to the Union Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs is a significant development, viewed the NSF. “The Federation stands in solidarity with the State Government’s petition, emphasizing 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,” affirmed the Federation.

Further, the Federation reiterated its call for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Naga homeland.

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“The Oting incident is a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues associated with AFSPA, which has often led to severe human rights abuses under the guise of maintaining law and order. We call upon the Government of India to recognize the widespread demand for the repeal of AFSPA and take immediate steps to withdraw this contentious law from the Naga homeland,” appealed the NSF.

Reaffirming its stance on extending non-cooperation to the armed forces until AFSPA is repealed from the Naga homeland, the Federation has called upon all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to implement this non-cooperation directive in both 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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Oting massacre and reiterates our commitment to the quest for justice. The Federation will continue to monitor the developments in this case and work alongside other civil society organizations to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard, and justice is served,” asserted the NSF.

The Federation also called on all Naga citizens and civil society organizations to stand united in this crucial moment and support the State Government’s efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and bring about much-needed reforms.