Killing innocent civilians is unpardonable: ANSAM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, December 07 2021: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), while strongly condemning the Mon district incidents, has "reminded all the Naga people to stand united, rising upon all the differences, at this crucial juncture and walk the most solidarity road to secure justice for all the victims and to achieve our greater goal" .

In a statement issued today, the ANSAM said that in no uncertain term it strongly condemned the "horrific massacre of 15 innocent Naga civilians by the 21 para commandos at Tiru-Oting road, Mon district, Nagaland on December 4, 2021" .

It also said that such an "ugly and cruel war unleashing upon the unarmed civilians" is nothing but a State sponsored excesses, "which is absolutely a cross violation of human rights and unjustifiable" .

The Naga students' body then said that killing innocent civilians in the pretext of "mistaken identity" is an unpardonable act of dehumanization.

The ANSAM also said that it is deeply anguished and heartbroken on the demise of 15 "promising and innocent youth" of Konyak Nagas at the prime time of their life in the dreadful tragedy.

"Our heart also goes out to all the brothers who are maimed and mangled during the terror unleashed by Indian state forces", it also said.

"We offer our humble prayer and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and members of Oting village at this difficult time", it added.

"May God help and grant speedy recovery to all the injured".

The ANSAM then said that it was "aghast" to observe the continued creation of such extreme climate of fear and terror among the local civilian populace by the State agencies like Assam Rifles, Para commandos whereby the bloodshed and tears never cease in Naga areas under the "patronage of the Government of India".

The ANSAM then said that whilst the whole Nagas were waiting for the peaceful and logical solution of Indo-Naga political issues, it is very unfortunate that the dead toll of Naga civilians and National workers have been increasing in the cruel hands of Indian security forces.

"That, the December 4, 2021 incident is not unprecedented as the Government of India ever attempted to suppress and oppress the Naga people's movement for self-determination through militarization and further trying to criminalize our political issue is highly unacceptable under any circumstances," the Naga student body also said.

It then urged all the concerned individuals and organizations all over the world to voice against this "heinous war crime" in order to end the "ongoing undeclared war" waged by India against the Nagas in spite of the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue.

The ANSAM also said that this belligerent and atrocious conduct" of the State agencies is contrary to the spirit of the ongoing Indo-Naga ceasefire and peace talks.

It then questioned the sincerity and political commitment of the Government of India in resolving the Indo-Naga political issue.

"If the Government of India is committed to a peaceful settlement, all such coward acts of her security forces must be put to stop with immediate effect", it said.

The ANSAM also 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 to negotiation and more than two decades of political talk.

"Indeed, relatively Nagas have been enjoying peace all over, whereas, imposition of a draconian law, the so called AFSPA, in Naga areas and tagged under 'disturbed areas' remains ever a tragedy for civilians and thereby breach the peaceful atmosphere in the villages," said the ANSAM.

It further said that promulgation of AFSPA, 1958 in the North Eastern is the mother of all adversity resulting with alleged Army atrocities against the innocent public in the region repeatedly.

"Thus, we demand immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the Northeast to usher peace in the region.

Finally, the ANSAM demanded that appropriate steps should be initiated for impartial investigation by the competent agency and matter must be brought into the limelight of justice.

"Booked all the culprits, officers and Army personnel who are involved in the massacre and exemplary punishment should be given to the perpetrators," it further demanded.

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