𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬/ 𝟐𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝟒 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭, 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝

2 years ago, in a blatant violation of human rights, 14 innocent civilians were gunned down by the trigger-happy 21st Para Commandos/Assam Rifles at Oting village in Mon district, Nagaland state. This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the horrors faced by the Naga people in their historical struggle, written in blood. The Oting incident sends a clear message that the invading forces cherish the land but not its people.

Adding to a series of regrettable events in recent memory, the Oting incident once again highlights the recurring misuse and abuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Since October 18, 1952, where Nagas first tasted the bullets of the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian state employed military means to solve the Naga political issue. Despite large-scale human rights violations and destruction of properties, the resilience of the Naga people has proven that the Indian forces cannot crush their spirit.

It is essential to remember that the Indian armed forces’ occupation in Nagalim is viewed as an invasion, where every Naga is treated with suspicion or as an enemy. Therefore, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should and must be repealed from Nagalim to prevent another tragic incident like Oting.

Note: The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, known as AFSPA, originated as wartime martial law introduced by the British colonial power during WWII. After India gained independence, the same law was promulgated in the then NAGA Hills District in 1958 for an initial 6-month period. Unfortunately, it has endured for over 60 years. AFSPA grants the Indian Armed Forces impunity, allowing personnel, even those of non-commissioned rank, to shoot and kill on mere suspicion, and they cannot be brought before a court of law without prior sanctions from the Government of India (GOI).