Bodies demand exemplary punishment
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 06 2021: In the aftermath of the December 4 incident where 14 civilians lost their lives in firing by security forces in Nagaland's Mon district, Naga Women's Union (NWU) Manipur has expressed its strongest condemnations and demanded immediate suspension of the unit commanding officer and those personnel responsible for such heinous crime.

In a release by NWU president Asha Wungnam and general secretary YK General Thangal, said the barbaric act of Indian armed forces is a blatant violation of basic human rights.

"The Indian security forces, citing the incident as an intelligence failure, is a lame excuse and in no way justifiable.

Such draconian act should not be tolerated at any cost," said the release.

The union also demanded the government to immediately place the unit's commanding officer and personnel involved in the incident under suspension so as to facilitate impartial investigation and befitting punishment of the perpetrators.

It also shared the grief and pain of the.bereaved families.

Maram civil society organisations including Maram Union, Maram Students' Union and Maram Women Union also expressed anguish over the horrific incident where 14 innocent Konyak brethren, who were returning home after their hard day's work were brutally massacred by Assam Rifles in Mon district.

"This heinous crime committed by the security forces, who are supposed to protect lives, provide safety and security to the people, has threatened the fundamental rights of the citizens and values of democracy," said the CSOs.

It further claimed that there can never be any justification for brutal murder and is a gross violation of public trust, tantamount to war crimes during peace time and amounts to genocide.

The Maram bodies also demanded that the commanding officer of the unit and all the personnel involved in the massacre be brought to justice.

The Mao Council (MC) also strongly condemned the "massacre committed by the security forces at Oting village and said that this "gruesome crime" is beyond human tolerance.

"This is yet another episode of the many heinous crimes against humanity by the Indian Paramilitary forces in the decades of Naga struggle for their political and historical rights," stated the Mao Council.

The Council then urged the Government of India to be sincere in upholding the Framework Agreement and in respecting the Cease fire ground rules.

"They must cease the double-standards of cold blooded killings of the Naga civilians on the pretext of faulty intelligence inputs, it asserted.

Meanwhile, expressing deep condolences over the killing of innocent civilians by Assam Rifles in Nagaland, NPYF Manipur organised a candle light vigil at Kangla western gate on Monday.

During the vigil, Khurai AC's intending NPP candidate Laitonjam Jayananda strongly condemned the incident and demanded justice for the victims.

He further demanded the revocation of AFSPA from Nagaland as well as from the entire north-eastern states.

Meanwhile, Kshetrigao AC intending candidate Sheik Nurul Hassan condemned brutality of the incident in Nagaland and demanded the central government to repeal AFSPA at the earliest.

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