Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and 26 other organisations have demanded immediate withdrawal and repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and justice to the victims of Oting and Mon incidents.
A public declaration adopted at “Memories of Oting and the Nagas”, a public lamentation programme for the innocent civilians killed by Indian security forces at Oting and Mon, also demanded disciplinary action against the commanding officer and personnel of 21 Para Special Forces involved in the killing of 13 civilians and injuring at least 14 others at Oting on December 4 and against the commanding officer and personnel of 27 Assam Rifles involved in the shooting that killed 1 civilian and injured at least 18 others at Mon town on December 5.
The declaration also expressed outrage at the senseless and arbitrary killing of innocent Naga civilians and termed it as the gravest infringement upon human dignity, while insisting on the Government of India to act responsibly.
Noting that the tragedies at Oting and Mon presented an opportunity for Nagas to self-reflect and discern together so that the present crisis could be publicly redressed, the public declaration implored Naga political groups (NPGs) to shed their differences and take positive steps to reconcile, unite in purpose and cooperate in the common interest of shared Naga historical and political rights.
It also called upon all Naga leaders– overground and underground– to rise above party politics and self-interests by demonstrating statesmanship and healing leadership using nonviolent means, while exhorting Naga public to hold their leaders and themselves accountable, and resist all forms of tribalism and other forms of isms that divide the Nagas. FNR convener Rev Dr Wati Aier later read out the public declaration.
The event was held at Christian Higher Secondary School here on Sunday under the aegis of FNR.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, FNR member Dr Aküm Longchari said whatever had happened at Oting indicated that there was utter disregard for the right to live and personal liberty, noting that the incident was a blatant display of force and unjustified abuse of power. He termed the Oting incident as the greatest assault on humanity, adding that without the right to life, all other rights could not be secured.
He observed that there was a clash between two truths– people’s truth and people in power’s truth. He pointed out that one truth wanted to bring light to fact, but the other truth wanted to keep the fact hidden. He stressed that the story of Oting must be narrated so that the experiences and accounts of the survivors became a living memory.
On Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Longchari said that in the past 63 years the Act did not achieve its purpose, noting that it was not only a colonial-legislation. Asserting that Nagas only wanted peace, he however clarified that they did not want peace that was imposed upon them, but an inclusive one that emerged based on justice. “We want peace that is just and dignified,” he stressed. He said it was time for Nagas to reach out to one another and stand united in solidarity.
Narrating the December 4 Oting incident, Nyawang Wangsha from Oting claimed of having witnessed security forces killing a person lying on the ground and hunting down two others who were hiding and allegedly shooting them point blank.
He claimed that six persons were killed in front of him, while eight were injured. He said the SDPO and he escaped unharmed.
He said several rounds of bullets were fired at him, the SDPO and his entourage while they were returning from the site after the first shootout had taken place.
Condemning the act, Wangsha noted that those who had carried out the shooting were not Indian Army personnel and termed them terrorists.
He questioned all armed factions who considered themselves national workers, but were not present when Nagas needed them the most.
He said India’s “Christmas gift” to Nagas were in the form of bodies and injuries, lamenting that many would be spending their Christmas in hospitals and graveyards.
Speaking about the December 5 incident, Rev Peihwang Wangsa of Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB) said the funeral was originally scheduled for December 5 at the helipad, but had to be postponed till the next day at the requests of legislators who said chief minister Neiphiu Rio would reach Mon on December 6.
But though the funeral was postponed, the villagers were not informed of the new schedule and hence they had gathered at the helipad in large numbers on December 5 and, upon hearing about the postponement of the funeral, they started attacking Konyak Union office and also attempted to set the 27 Assam Rifles camp on fire, which lead to the killing of another civilian and injuries to several others.
In his speech, Konyak Union Dimapur president Mosa Konyak emphasised it was the opportune time for Nagas to unite and fight against the perpetrators till justice was served. He also acknowledged the solidarity and respect shown by all Naga tribes during this time of grief
Short speeches were also delivered by Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation Dimapur president N Langmei Phom, Dr Visier Sanyu and others.
A video of one of the survivors, James, interacting with FNR members was also played on the occasion.
Highlights of the programme included a song by Nise Meruno dedicated to the people of Oting and Nagas in general, songs by Rev Dr Wati Aier presented by Oriental Theological Seminary Choir, Cantamus Choir and others and poetry reading by Dr T Keditsu. Peace activist Niketu Iralu led in lighting the lamp in memory of the Oting victims.
Earlier, invocation was offered by Christian Forum Dimapur chairman Rev Moses Murry.