Students, citizens demand repeal of AFSPA
Solemn candlelight vigils were organised across Nagaland and beyond to remember and pay tribute to the victims of December 4 Oting massacre. During the vigils, the student bodies and citizens demanded repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
NSUD, DENSU, NPMHR: As a tribute to the victims of the massacre, the collective Naga Students Union Delhi (NSUD), Delhi Eastern Nagaland Union (DENSU) and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights Delhi (NPMHR) organised a candlelight vigil at Nagaland house, New Delhi on December 6.
In a press release issued through NSUD general secretary Vitso Rio, the Naga bodies in Delhi said they were appalled by the act of the armed forces and said that the “murder of these innocent lives” was “a bleak reminder of the decades long-suffering and suppression of the Nagas under the draconian rule of AFSPA.”
The collective while condemning the inhumane act reasserted their unflinching support to the Konyak people and stood in solidarity with the families of the victims.
While condemning the barbarity of the armed forces, they also called upon the government of India to revoke Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
OTS: Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS) of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) organised a candlelight vigil on December 6 to show its solidary with the Oting and Naga people during a “harrowing and tumultuous time.”
A press release from the Seminary said that today more than ever, Nagas were experiencing and realising “the injustice meted out by the government of India.”
“The message is clear: AFSPA must go and injustice must end”, it stated.
OTS hoped that Naga people’s emotion would be translated into making the right strategic decision and policy to bring peace, justice and humane environment to the land.
NU: Nagaland University Lumami held a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the bereaved families at Nagaland University, Lumami on December 6.
The Nagaland University Research Scholars’ Forum (Lumami), Nagaland University Students’ Union (Lumami), Nagaland University Non-Teaching Staff Association (Lumami) and members of the teaching fraternity came together to mourn “the loss of the 14 fateful souls.”
A press release from NU said that the community was astounded by the “utter intelligence failure of the so-called highly trained military personnel and vehemently condemned the botched operation by the army at the highest level.”
They also reiterated the need to repeal AFSPA which it said had been plaguing the land for generations and atrocities being meted out on citizens under the guise of the Act.
The community also hit out at union home minister for terming the incident as “unfortunate” and “mistaken identity” and said that massacre of civilians could not be termed as unfortunate when the ministry was responsible for extension of AFSPA under which these inhuman atrocities were committed.
Assistant professor, Dr. Likhase Sangtam said “Nagas had gone through hard and difficult times to be part of this great diverse nation. But today when we reflect the Naga society, to great extent we seem to have moved on from those atrocities meted out to our people”.
Dr. Likhase said that slaying of innocent civilians in an inhuman way was very difficult to take and as an academician, while trying to change the whole narrative in line with the constitution of India towards holistic integration to this great nation, “this kind of act will dispel the people of the region from what is being professed”.
The research scholars’ forum, students’, teachers and non-teaching staffs from the campus in unison condemned the gruesome act and showed solidarity with the rest in conveying their deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for God’s comfort and strength to get through this time of grief.
ENSUPCC: Eastern Naga Students’ Union, Patkai Christian College (ENSUPCC) held a candlelight vigil at the Bundrock auditorium on Tuesday evening “in respect of the victims murdered by Indian security forces at Oting village and Mon town on December 4 and 5.”
During the vigil, ENSUPCC president, Anok Bulei recounted the tragic incident of December 4 and 5 and expressed shock and anger at the brutal killings and “the manner in which the security forces handled the dead bodies in their attempt to cover up the killings.”
Vice principal, Angel Sonari also extended solidarity to the Oting villagers and the Konyak people on behalf of the college.
“We condemn the brutal act of the Indian security forces in the murder of our Konyak brothers,” her message read.
Condemning the Indian security forces, assistant professor Dr. Ponghsak Phom termed the incident a “horrific atrocity” and said the “massacre of innocents” was not a one-off incident.
Dr. Phom demanded the repeal of the draconian AFSPA.
Meanwhile, assistant professor, Bauna Panmei reminded the gathering of both teachers and students to be mindful of the Naga history which had suffered from a “long history of violence” abetted by the AFSPA. “This is our reality. This has been our reality for 50 years,” he maintained.
NTUCT: Naga Tribal Union Chumukedima Town (NTUCT) organised a candlelight service in solidarity for the victims of the massacre at Chumoukedima on Tuesday.