Various civil society organisations, tribal bodies, student bodies, political parties, etc continued to condemn the killing of over a dozen civilians by security forces on December 4, 2021 in an area between Oting and Tiru village under Mon district.
WAPO: Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO) while condemning the massacre said that the “Indian government since early 50s had been practicing gun culture to intimidate Nagas” to surrender their sovereign rights under the so-called AFSPA. WAPO appealed to the Indian government to quit all their occupational forces from the land of the Nagas so that they could live peacefully without fear and intimidation. The organisation conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
M.B. Neokpao Konyak: ‘Gen. (Retd.)’ M.B. Neokpao Konyak, GPRN/NSCN president while expressing deep grief said that a “nation of mighty forces who profess themselves as thorough professionals in full combat gears trapped the defenseless daily bread earners in a coordinated ambush and spontaneous waylaid the enraged villagers resulted in mass killing was an apparent act of genocide”.
He said that the massacre had “strangely transfixed” him as it refreshed his past memories, recollecting the countless precious lives of old and young alike of Konyaks’ bloods been shed genuinely for a just Naga cause.
While stating that the contribution of the Konyak in nation building had irked the Naga adversaries to go against their wishes, it had emboldened his “commitment to serve” his people “with renewed vigour.”
“We the Konyak equally faced the brunt of aggressor’s aggressive transgressions in every sphere. And what had happened with the Konyaks today is nothing less than sacrifice for the Nagas”, he said.
Neokpao also said that despite shortcomings, the living God would put the Nagas adversaries to shame and prayed that the Almighty would heal the wounds of those innocent victims who were injured.
PUK: While announcing that its 35th annual general meeting which was scheduled to be held on December 11 had been postponed as per directive from ENPO, Phom Union Kohima has condemned the act of the paramilitary forces and expressed its solidarity with the Konyak community. PUK extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for a speedy recovery for those who had been injured.
TUD: Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) president, Vekhosayi Nyekha while vehemently condemning the barbaric and merciless killings of innocent villagers by senseless Indian Security Forces without any reason, stated that the union in highest term denounced the act of monstrous, which may also be the reason for delay to reach settlement between GOI and Naga Political Group.
TUD appealed to general public to rise to the occasion and give befitting response to the concern authority, and demand for justice. The union further expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members who lost near and dear ones and prayed to Almighty God to grant solace and peace.
PNHN: Poumai Naga Hoho Nagaland (PNHN) expressed shocked on the killings of several civilians by Indian Security Forces and vehemently condemned the barbaric act.
A press release by president, PNHN, Sülunü Rapaobamai, conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and shared its solidarity with the Konyak brothers and sisters during this time of grief.
ENNWU (NSCN): Eastern Naga National Workers Union (NSCN) has expressed anguish over the incident and termed it as cowardly act of the Indian security forces over the peace-loving citizen. In a condemnation note, ENNWU (NSCN) CLM & convenor Moba Chang recalled that ENPO held a joint consultative meeting on December 18, 2007 wherein they passed a resolution not to shed blood on the eastern soil. It further conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
RNIF: Rongmei Naga Indigenous Forum (RNIF) in a condemnation note through its media cell stated the atrocities perpetrated by security forces at this juncture was very unfortunate and unveiled the ugly side of security forces once again.
The forum urged the state government to set up high level enquiry committee and punish the culprits and put all-out efforts to keep situation under control.
RNIF further shared solidarity towards Konyak community and expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for speedy recovery to the injured.
ENNWA (Reformation): Eastern Naga National Workers Association (ENNWA) (Reformation) in its condemnation note stated that at a time, when all section of Nagas are eagerly yearning and anticipating for peaceful solution and peaceful existence such deliberate barbaric and perpetuated citizens in totally uncalled for and highly condemnable. It also said that Nagas have lost their senses of safety and security in their own homes as long as draconian act like AFSPA continue to be imposed are misused.
The association expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that Almighty God grant them peace and solace.
THN: Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland (THN) vice president in a condemnation note stated that the killing was initiated taking advantage of the infamous Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) 1958.
It added that the savagely act of killers were unthinkable and unimaginable, asserting that no appropriate words were adequate to condemn the incident. It further appealed state and central government to take befitting action to those killers as per the law of the land.
Ex-PAN: Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) president, Joshua Sumi while expressing its deep resentment and anguish stated that the dastardly act and unwarranted, unprovoked firing by armed forces on hapless civilians was not the first time in this part of the country and it had shocked the largest democratic country in the world. It added that such boldness shown by army to kill civilians with impunity under draconian AFSPA was utterly unfortunate.
It further appealed the government of India to immediately repeal this monstrous AFSPA.
Ex-PAN further conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
NNC/GDRN (N/A): NNC/GDRN (N/A) through its MIP stated that the cold-blooded murder of its innocent brothers was unacceptable and should be outrightly condemned by every right-thinking citizen.
It further added that since the inception of the draconian law, AFSPA in 1958, Nagas have been tormented and have lived as outcast in their own ancestral land.
The NNC GDRN (N/A) conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families’ members and speedy recovery to those injured.
PBCA: Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), Longleng in its condemnation note stated that the inhuman act of Indian Army has brought shame to the world, and the whole world was ridiculing at the arbitrary act of Indian Army.
It further added that reporting at the highest political house of Indian Parliament that killing of 13 Naga civilians was taken place in self-defence, did not reflect the truth at all from the ground reality.
It questioned how a group of tactically well-trained para-security personnel claim themselves that they killed civilians in self-defence when civilians have done no harm to them.
It also added that AFSPA was implemented to suppress and subjugate political right of people, adding that AFSPA would never solve political problem too.
The union further prayed for bereaved families for God’s comfort and peace.
SNUNS: South Nagas of Nagaland State (SNUNS) has condemned the brutal killing of innocent Konyak civilians by Indian military forces.
A press release by president, SNUNS, Sanii Putukho Batao, shared deepest concern to Konyak Naga brothers, and also for speedy recovery to the injured and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
WSTH: Western Sümi Totimi Hoho (WSTH) president Visheli S Yeptho, while condemning the heinous and ghastly incident stated that as mothers, it ached its heart to see mothers crying over the slayed bodies of their young sons.
WSTH added that December 4, 2021 had revived the past horrific memories inflicted by the armed forces where they have tortured and killed innocent sons and raped daughters of this land by forceful use of arms and their “Camouflage”.
It strongly demanded repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958, asserting that it had taken away hundreds’ innocent lives over the decades.
WSTH further shared its solidarity with Konyak people and prayed that God grant peace and solace to the bereaved families.
NIPF: Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF) expressed shocked on the brutal and gruesome killing of innocent civilians.
NIPF through its media cell strongly condemned the killing of innocent daily wage earner by the blood thirsty Indian security forces.
NIPF shared deepest condolence to the bereaved family of all the deceased due to this inhuman action of the Indian security forces.
NPPCC minority department: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) minority department has expressed shocked, anguish and condemn the unfortunate incident.
NPCC minority department appealed to the state government to maintain law and order in the state and justice be given to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones without delay and maintain the situation to avoid further escalation of violence
NPYF: National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) expressed shocked and dismayed to learn of the barbaric ambush carried out by the Indian Para Military Forces.
NPYF Nagaland state conveyed its sympathy towards the Eastern Naga people and deepest condolences to the bereaved families. NPYF Nagaland prayed that the almighty God give them solace in such sad and trying times and also wished speedy recovery to all those injured and being treated.
MKPON: Mech Kachari Public Organisation Nagaland (MKPON) general secretary, MKPON, Dharmadhaj Sonowal in a condemnation note expressed deep sorrow on the atrocities and conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
MKPON also hoped that the government would take up the issue seriously and deliver justice to the bereaved families and the whole community.
FNBA: Fellowship of Naga Baptist Association (FNBA) president Rev. Visor Zeliang, vice president Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao and general secretary Rev. H. Gideon stated that the atrocity meted out towards Nagas even at this juncture of history is a gross violation of human rights and a stark depiction of the manner in which security forces still view them as expendable people groups. “Do we even communicate a sense of civility and human compassion across the negotiating table anymore?”, FNBA questioned.
FNBA called for urgent withdrawal of the inhuman law called AFSPA across all Naga inhabited areas and furthermore appealed to the conscience of those in authority to conduct a thorough investigation of the matter at hand. The FNBA also called upon every single Naga to uphold the bereaved families in their prayers.
SSUD: The Sangtam Students’ Union Dimapur (SSUD) president and general secretary Chongrokhum Sangtam and Chemdila Mongzar in a condemnation, stated that the 21 para special forces of the Indian army must take accountability for their temerarious and tearaway action. The union demanded justice for the innocent lives and appealed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to disentangle itself from any outside forces and with their best-efforts shade light in the dark.
SSUD also shared moment of mourning and grief with the families of those innocent souls.
AAGBA: All Angami Gaon Burah Association (AAGBA) while strongly condemning the atrocious killing of innocent civilians stated that no justification could suffice the heinous crimes upon innocent civilians. AAGBA demanded swift justice to be brought upon the perpetrators. It also expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed the Almighty to grant peace and strength through these dark times.
AGNC: Assemblies of God Nagaland Council (AGNC) superintendent, Rev. Tusaya Kath, in a condemnation note called upon all right thinking citizens and organizations to come forward and condemn the heinous act committed by Indian Army and work towards deliverance of justice to victims, bereft families and to the general public.
The council also urged upon Government of India and state government to immediately intervene and hammer out permanent solution so as to bring secure feelings to the Nagas.
It further expressed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured continuous prayer for God’s comfort and peace to all our brethren.
ZYOD: Zeliang Youth Organization Dimapur (ZYOD) in its condemnation through its media cell stated that no cause can justify such brutality and senseless killing. ZYOD strongly urged all communities and groups to reject violence. It further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
ENSUB: Eastern Nagaland Students Union Bengaluru (ENSUB) general secretary Hocheli Sangtam and Thsachopa TS have extended its solidarity with the Eastern Nagaland and requested all individuals and groups to come together in providing justice and appealed CSOs to strictly comply to the directives of the ENPO.
ENSUB further conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured persons.
NSCN/GPRN Naga army: NSCN/GPRN Naga army general staff office-1 (D) ‘maj/gen’ Langnyei Konyak stated that Naga people have restrained themselves in conducting many operations against the sadistic occupiers in the Indian military keeping in mind the wishes of the people who are in the quest for peaceful atmosphere.
It has expressed condolences to the bereaved families who were brutally killed.
DPSU: Dimapur Phom Students Union (DPSU) president, Enyuh Phom, in its condemnation stated that the killing of innocent Konyak brothers should not be deemed as “mistaken identity”, adding that it was a murder committed by the 21 Para Special Force of the Indian Army.The union demanded that justice be served to the innocent lives and also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for speedy recovery of those injured.
MTSU: Mangkolemba Town Students Union (MTSU) president, Wapongtoshi, stated that 13 innocent Konyak brothers have lost their lives due to the blatant misuse of AFSPA and Disturb Area Act (DAA), imposed by government of India.
MTSU condemned the barbaric act and urged all right-thinking citizens to condemn such atrocities by the military forces. The union further expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and also prayed for speedy recovery to the injured ones.
CTSU: Chumoukedima Town Students’ Union (CTSU) president Kezhawelie Richa and general secretary Letsol Thakro in a condemnation stated that the unprovoked firing and killing of the Naga civilian by the Indian security forces. CTSU demanded to deliver justice to their innocent Konyak brothers. It stated that the Indian Para-military forces should bear the whole responsibility for creating law and order problem and no amount of justification shall be accepted by the people.
The CTSU demanded immediate revocation of Armed Force Special Power Act 1958. It also appealed to the state government to bring back peace and normalcy in the area against the prevailing situation. CTSU also conveyed its full solidarity with the victim families and the ENPO and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
WASU: Wakching Area Students’ Union (WASU) conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved families and at the same time, wished and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. WASU has also demanded to revoke and remove AFSPA immediately stating that justice would have not been served until AFSPA is repealed. WASU appealed to all the unions and organizations within and beyond Nagaland to stand united in this struggle and continue to work towards the complete removal of AFSPA.