Konyak Civil Society and ENSF lead commemorations for victims of 2021 killings
As the Oting incident turns four years old, the Konyak Civil Society observed a “Black Day” on Friday to remember the victims. Meanwhile, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) held a candlelight vigil at the ongoing Hornbill Festival in Kisama’s Konyak Morung, paying homage to the 14 civilians killed in the December 2021 incident.
On December 4, 2021, troops from the 21 Para Special Forces (SF) opened fire on a pickup van carrying coal miners returning to Oting village in Mon district. The State’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) later concluded that the troops had failed to follow standard operating procedures and rules of engagement, and had resorted to “indiscriminate and disproportionate firing.”
The SIT charge sheet named 30 personnel of 21 Para (including an officer in the rank of Major) under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code including murder.
The initial promise of justice, however, has stalled. In April 2023, the Ministry of Defence denied the state government’s request for prosecution sanction against the accused soldiers – a mandatory requirement under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in “disturbed areas.”
Then, on September 17, 2024, the Supreme Court of India officially cancelled the criminal proceedings against the army personnel involved, effectively closing the FIRs registered in the case. The court clarified that proceedings could resume only if prosecution sanction were granted at a later stage, but until then, those accused stand unprosecuted.
The verdict sparked widespread outrage: the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the broader North East Students’ Organization (NESO), and Naga civil society groups described the decision as a “grave injustice” – an insult to the memory of the victims and their families.
At Friday’s observances, community leaders and youth groups reiterated demands for justice and called for the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Nagaland.
While the SC ruling has closed the criminal case for now, the commemoration demonstrates that calls for justice and institutional reform remain strong – a reminder that the tragedy of Oting continues to resonate across the state.
