1 year of Oting incident; Victims’ kins still in shock, seeks the ‘Truth’

It was on this day a year ago, when an unfortunate incident shook entire Nagaland as well as Northeast, when a botched army operation had claimed the lives of 14 civilians at Oting in Mon district. The memories of the fateful day is still afresh in the minds of many even as an year has passed by since the incident took place.

Today, villagers in Mon as well as kin paid their tributes to those who had lost their lives in the tragic incident.

Chemwang konyak father of late Shomwang Konyak, is still in a state of grave shock after his son lost his life in the incident. Hurt by his son’s demise Chemwang Konyak was in tears as he said, “It would not have been so painful, had they died a natural death. But My son and other were good people who used to work for the society and the Church, therefore it hurts even more.”

Beside, Chemwang Konyak also maintained that the people do not want vengeance or seek revenge against the forces but seeks to know ‘The Truth’ for finding out as to who was wrong or who was right. Konyak also questioned as to why innocent civilians were targetted as he referred to the context of AFSPA.

Konyak added, “We are unhappy and we want justice at any cost.”

Besides, he also pointed that the people cannot do everything on it’s own in the quest for getting justice, but needs the support of the Konyak Union, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), as well as every Naga.

Meanwhile, in furtherance of the resolution adopted at the 4th Federal Assembly of the Naga Students Federation, the apex students body of Nagaland is observing the 1st Anniversary of the oting massacre in a symbolic manner.

The units are flying thier organisation flag at half mast while also hoisting a black flag alongside it signifying non-cooperation towards the security forces until the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA is repealed.

Besides, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) is also observing Black Day today and tomorrow demanding justice for the victims.

On December 4 last year, six coal miners returning from work were killed in a botched ambush by the security forces at Oting village, while seven others were gunned down when angry villagers scuffled with them after discovering the bullet-riddled bodies of the labourers on an Army truck.
One security personnel was also killed in the incident. Another civilian was killed when a mob attacked an Assam Rifles camp at Mon town the next day.

It may be mentioned that the Nagaland government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident, which had submitted its charge sheet before a court against 30 personnel of the operations team of 21 Para Special Force of the Army.

The Army had also constituted a Court of Inquiry (CoI), which has also completed its enquiry.