The Wesean Naga Student Union (WNSU) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent Supreme Court ruling that quashed criminal proceedings against army personnel involved in the Oting massacre. The WNSU described the decision as an “outrageous ruling” that endorses state-sponsored brutality, asserting that it reflects deep-seated contempt for ‘Wesean’ lives.
In a statement, the WNSU highlighted that the Oting massacre, in which civilians were killed by soldiers, is not an isolated incident but part of an orchestrated campaign of violence targeting the people of Wesea. “From Tiru to Malom, Heirangoithong to Kohima, the Indian state has systematically targeted our people, treating Wesean lives as disposable,” the statement said.
The WNSU expressed concern over the impunity enjoyed by Indian armed forces under laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which shields military personnel from accountability. The union cited eyewitness reports of soldiers attempting to cover up the Oting massacre, stating, “Eyewitness reports confirm that soldiers not only executed civilians but also attempted to conceal their barbarity by hiding the bodies.”
The student union further criticized the silence from New Delhi and the broader systemic violence against Weseans, calling the court’s decision a message that “Wesean lives do not matter.”
The WNSU demanded immediate accountability for the Oting massacre and other atrocities committed against the people of Wesea. They urged unity among ‘Weseans’ and warned that “If India refuses to acknowledge our humanity, it is India itself that fuels the calls for separation.”
(Original text here)