The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has voiced strong objection to the Supreme Court of India’s recent ruling on September 17, 2024, which terminated the criminal proceedings against thirty Army personnel involved in the Oting massacre of 2021. The massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 14 innocent civilians, remains a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and injustices faced by the Naga people under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958, the GNF stated.
The GNF maintained that the Oting massacre is not an isolated incident but part of a long history of brutality, citing previous tragedies such as the 1994 Mokokchung rape and pillage, the 1995 Kohima massacre, and the killing of students in Wuzu.
“These events continue to haunt the Naga people, reinforcing a deep sense of dehumanization and suppression,” it said.
The forum also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to quash the FIRs in this case, stating that it “sends a disheartening message that justice will remain out of reach for the victims and their families.” According to the GNF, the ruling is perceived as an affront to the Naga people’s pursuit of justice and accountability. The Oting massacre, GNF argued, was a clear violation of human rights, and dismissing the plea for prosecution undermines the credibility of the judicial process and public trust in the rule of law.
In response, the Global Naga Forum has called on the Nagaland State Government to “immediately file a review petition in the Supreme Court.” The forum insisted that the state must take a firm stance in defending the rights of its people and ensuring that justice is delivered. It urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling in light of the severe human rights violations that occurred during the Oting incident, and for the state government to uphold 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 the grave injustice. “The misuse of AFSPA and the continued militarization of the Naga homeland have long plagued the region, and it is crucial for all parties to raise their voices in solidarity,” it stated.
The forum warns that 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” suffering under AFSPA’s oppressive regime. In the interest of peace, justice, and human dignity, the GNF urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling and appealed to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA, which it described as an outdated law with no place in a democratic society.
“The Global Naga Forum stands with the victims and calls for collective action to ensure that the innocent lives lost in the Oting massacre are not forgotten, and that justice prevails,” it added.