The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) has expressed its deep dissatisfaction with the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Oting massacre, describing it as an “assault on the sense of justice” for the people of Nagaland and the Northeast. “The Oting tragedy touched a raw nerve in the Northeast, a region long burdened by the heavy hand of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” the party said.
In a statement issued by the party’s Press Bureau, the NPF acknowledged that while the ruling may be grounded in legal precedents, for the people of Nagaland, it feels like an assault on their sense of justice.
“India as a democratic country, its citizens repose full trust in the judiciary with a hope that all their despair will be addressed fairly by the Court of Law when every of their options fails. And one such institution which the citizens held in high awe is the Supreme Court. As a matter of fact, the judgements and orders of the SC are always awaited with full of anticipation. However, the recent judgment of the SC has yet again let down the hope and expectation of Naga people in particular and the people of NE in general,” the statement continued.
According to NPF, the judgment proved beyond doubt that Naga people are still treated as “second class citizens” under the shadow of AFSPA.
“The Naga People’s Front (NPF), as a responsible political party, is aware that it is not a normal practice to openly criticize the judgment pronounced by the SC, nevertheless the Party is compelled to express its displeasure openly in regard to the SC judgment on Oting incident,” the party asserted.
The NPF pointed out that the root of the issue lies in the protective cloak that AFSPA drapes over the Indian military, allowing for extensive immunity from legal action in areas deemed “disturbed.” While AFSPA’s intent was to secure peace in conflict-prone regions, its overreach has often led to cases where accountability slips through the cracks, and the Oting incident seems no different, the party said. The court’s ruling, the party argued, has only deepened the chasm between the Northeast’s communities and the system meant to safeguard them.
The party stressed that the people of Nagaland have been left with more questions than answers. “Quashing the criminal case may adhere to the letter of the law, but it has failed to deliver justice in the eyes of the public,” the statement read. The NPF urged the government, judiciary, and military to recognize the danger of leaving this tragedy unresolved. “Justice delayed is justice denied, but in the case of Oting, justice obstructed could prove even more devastating,” the NPF cautioned.
The party emphasized that the Oting massacre, like many other incidents in conflict-affected areas, must not be dismissed under the guise of legal technicalities or military immunity. For India to truly uphold its democratic ideals, it must ensure that even powerful institutions, such as the armed forces, are held accountable when civilian lives are lost.
The NPF concluded that it is not just about legal recourse but about restoring trust in the system, delivering peace to a grieving people, and ensuring that the scales of justice remain balanced—no matter how heavy the burden is.