Call for apology for Oting killings is an insult to Nagaland Assembly resolution, says NPCC

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on December 21 said the call for an apology for the recent Oting massacre in which 14 civilians were killed by the security forces has discredited the entire resolution of the Nagaland Assembly.

Holding a special session to discuss repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in the state on October 20, the state Assembly adopted a five-point resolution. One of the resolutions called for an apology from the appropriate authority for the killings, along with an assurance that justice will be delivered by applying the laws of the land on those who perpetrated the inhuman massacre and on those who are responsible for the incident.

The call for apology over a massacre is an insult to the bereaved families, their villages and the community of Nagaland as the people want justice not an apology, NPCC president K Therie said in a statement.

 “It is an insult to the voice of the people crying for justice,” Theriesaid while condemning the resolution.

The Pradesh Congress chief said apology over the massacre is not acceptable as killings and apologies cannot be the ‘law of precedence’. He added that the resolution is blunt towards justice.

Therie said the chief minister and the home minister are answerable to the people of Nagaland, adding they cannot run away from their responsibilities.

“They should answer whether 21 paramilitary troopers have come with their knowledge or not. If yes, why? If not, why should they not proceed with criminal proceedings against them? They cannot take cover under AFSPA,” he said.

He added that the resolution is trying to impress that the state government is innocent, making it look like the army has conducted the operation without authority from the Nagaland state.

“If so, the army has violated the Constitution and committed an untenable crime against humanity. If not, the army should point out who is responsible,” he said.

Therie added that according to constitutional provisions, the army has no authority to just come from another state and indiscriminately shoot and kill innocent and peaceful citizens.

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