Nagas under ANSAM remember Oting
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, December 04 2022:
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) along with Naga civil society organisations in Manipur remembered the Oting incident at various places under its jurisdiction today.
Known as the "infamous Oting massacre, 14 innocent Naga civilians were killed by the Indian Special Forces, 21 Para Commandos at Tiru-Oting road in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4 and 5, 2021" .
Observing events in various places under its jurisdiction, ANSAM issued a statement saying, "We offer our highest honour and pay homage to all the departed souls.
Our heart also goes out to all the youth of Konyak Nagas who had suffered, were maimed and mangled during the dreadful terror tragedy unleashed by Indian State forces" .
The Naga student body also said that it was aghast by the "wilful" delay of justice to the victims of the most condemned "terror act by the Government of India" .
The ANSAM then expressed its resentment towards the "indifferent attitude" of the Government of India to the voices of the Naga people from across the Naga areas demanding the repeal of AFSPA, 1958 from "Naga homeland" .
It said that the Nagas are peace lovers and they were living in peace in their own system since time immemorial but problems arose only when the "Indian occupation came about in our land" .
The Naga student body said that the imposition of the "draconian law called AFSPA" in Naga areas tagged "disturbed areas" remains ever a tragedy for civilians and thereby breaches the peaceful atmosphere in the villages.
ANSAM said that promulgation of AFSPA, 1958 in the North East States is the mother of all adversity resulting with Army atrocities against the innocent public in the region repeatedly.
"Continuation of such draconian law will bring nothing good for both India and Nagas," it added.
According to the ANSAM, AFSPA has only brought India to international attention with its "shameful" records on human rights and value for human lives.
"Stop all sorts of attempts to suppress and oppress the Naga people's aspiration through militarization and further trying to criminalize our political issue," it asked.
The "belligerent and atrocious conduct of the State agencies" itself is contrary to the spirit of the ongoing Indo-Naga ceasefire and the ongoing peace talks, it said.
The student body then reminded the Government of India that it was the realization on the part of India that the Naga issue is political in nature that paved the way for negotiation and more than two decades of political talk.
"We pray that the undeclared war on Naga civilians by the Indian forces should cease forthwith and repeal the AFSPA, 1958 and pave way for inclusive, honourable and acceptable Indo-Naga settlement.
It is only through the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue, wherefrom real and permanent peace, development and prosperity will be ushered in" .
While anticipating sincerity and political commitment of Government of India in resolving the Indo-Naga political issue, the student body also strongly reaffirmed its support to the resolution of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) to extend "non-cooperation towards the Indian Armed Forces" until AFSPA, 1958 is repealed.