Imlisanen Jamir
Despite the Naga penchant for recollections and commemorations, there was a stark absence of any such sentiment during the one year anniversary of the tragic Oting incident which occurred on December 4, 2021.
The villagers and families of the victims gathered at the village ground to commemorate the tragic day; while scattered vigils were also held in remembrance of the victims in some parts of the State and beyond. However, besides these, there was not even a statement from either the State, the political parties or prominent organizations who never fail to harp on about their concern for the people.
On the day when the families mourned their loved ones, a part of the State reveled in the ‘Festival of Festivals.’ The same festival had been cancelled last year in view of the public outcry that followed the killings in Oting. Now though, it seemed to be all forgotten.
To add to the bitterness is that the victims’ families are yet to see any justice. In July, the Supreme Court stayed the proceedings in the Mon District & Session Court after Writ Petitions were filed by the families of the commandoes against whom the SIT filed the charges.
The Bench cited Section 6 of the AFSPA, which gives immunity to the military personnel from prosecution in civil courts. It says, “No prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Central Government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act.”
The petitions further demanded the quashing of the SIT “findings” and any other legal proceedings filed against the commandoes involved. The court last heard the PILs on November 1 and listed it for hearing after 8 weeks.
Prior to the stay from the SC, the Army has also pushed for taking over the legal proceedings against the accused commandoes, in a military court. According to official sources, the Army filed a formal application in the Mon court. However, it was kept pending following the stay from the apex court.
It would seem that everything now depends on what the Supreme Court, according to one source who spoke to this newspaper in one of our reports.
Till then, they will keep mourning and the survivors will continue with their struggles to overcome the trauma they experienced. Perhaps, what we can do is show more consistency in our solidarity.
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