The Naga Mothers Association has called upon friends from Indian civil society to stand with the Nagas in seeking justice for the victims of the Oting massacre and other shameful acts committed by the Indian Army, such as the Oinam incident, the Wuzu killings, bombings and killings in Kohima, the Pangsha ITC Dan killings of civilians, and the maiming of women for life, among others, where justice has not been served to date.
Condemning the recent ruling of the Supreme Court of India, which they described as a travesty of justice for the victims of the Oting massacre, the NMA noted that the list of injustices is endless.
“Our hearts continue to question the policies of the Indian government towards our people and region, marked by decades of militarization and army atrocities,” they said.
Stating that the Naga mothers were part of the fact-finding team that visited the site of the killings and met with the victims’ families in Oting village a few days after the Oting massacre, the NMA expressed deep grief and shock over the quashing of the FIRs by the Supreme Court and the Central Government’s failure to sanction prosecution of the perpetrators.
“India calls itself the largest democracy but still continues to impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which violates every form of human rights. The Nagas have been the biggest victims of Indian Army atrocities against civilians,” the NMA added.
The NMA further urged the State Government of Nagaland and the Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, who hails from Oting village, to raise their voices in unison for justice, which has been denied to the Oting victims and their families.
The NMA also called upon the Governor of Nagaland to ensure that prosecution sanction is granted by the Central Government and that the State Government appeals the ruling with a review petition.
“It is a mockery of the law to claim a lack of substantial evidence when the SIT report has already been placed before authorities, including the Supreme Court. The rights of citizens, including women, to peace and security have been violated for decades by the Indian Armed Forces in Naga areas,” NMA added.
The NMA further called for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to ensure democracy and respect for human rights.