Konyak CSOs, AR and Mon dist admn hold first roundtable talk

February 8, 2022 32 Views No Comment

February 8, 2022

 Reiterate demand for booking all officers & men involved in Dec. 4 Oting massacre
 All army camps located in civilian areas to be vacated

Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs) have reiterated their three demands– 1. that all officers and jawans involved in the massacre of 14 innocent Konyak youth be booked under applicable civil court and the action taken report be shared in public domain; 2. all Indian Army camps located in the vicinity of civilian areas be vacated immediately and 3. Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) repealed.

These demands were conveyed at the “first roundtable tripartite talks” between the CSOs (Konyak Union, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong and Konyak Students’ Union) with Mon district administration headed by DC Mon Thavaseelan K. and Assam Rifles headed by IGAR (North) Maj. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, Brig. Sandip Chatterjee of 7 Sector Tuensang, commanding officer 27 AR Mon, Rippon Bora and Lt Col Atong Konyak, held at the conference hall of DC Mon. The Meeting was chaired by DC Mon and was also attended by additional SP Mon.

To the issue raised by Assam Rifles on non-cooperation and total restriction on movement of convoy and patrolling by armed forces in Konyak jurisdiction since December 5, 2021, CSOs said the non-cooperation against the armed forces will not be withdrawn until justice was delivered to victims of the Oting massacre and moreover, such decision shall be taken at the ENPO level.

The CSOs, considering the gravity of the situation, also said that the particular subject matter had to be decided/tackled at the higher level between the state government/Home department and the Assam Rifles.
On the question of the CSOs on how and when justice would be delivered, Assam Rifles said the judicial process was beyond their purview but assured that Justice would be served by any means.

When the Assam Rifles shared their various ongoing and upcoming developmental programmes under civic action plans, the CSOs made it clear “justice first, development next”.

Meanwhile, as the Konyak community sought justice, the CSOs appealed to public to abide by the decision of the State Government on the issue of army patrolling. In this regard, the CSOs requested all Naga political groups to adhere to the resolutions adopted by Konyak general mass that was notified on December 20, 2021 to restrain from unwanted activities in pursuit of the demand for justice.

While the directive on use of black flags in every car/vehicle had been relaxed, the CSOs however declared that black flags shall remain hoisted in front of all CSO offices as a sign of solidarity until justice was delivered.
Meanwhile, at the suggestion by Maj. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, the Konyak CSOs agreed to hold negotiation and deliberation at another round of talks depending on the gravity of the situation. This was stated in a press communiqué.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/?p=249929