Still waiting for justice

December 5, 2024 10 Views No Comment

Oting Village remembers slain comrades on 3rd anniversary

Morung Express News
Kohima | December 5

On December 4, 2021, the village of Oting in Mon district, Nagaland, witnessed the killing of its civilians by the Indian armed forces.

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In what was termed a “botched” counter-insurgency operation, 13 civilians were killed on December 4, 2021, while one more civilian died in subsequent violence in the Mon headquarters. The violence marked one of the deadliest escalations the state has witnessed in recent years.

Three years later, the villagers of Oting still await justice.

“We are still waiting for justice,” said Nokyem T, Pastor of the Oting Village Baptist Church. He maintained that the remembrance program held each year is not for revenge but to reiterate that justice must be served.

“People lose their lives in wars, but we lost our brothers in a firing that was unprovoked, and there should be answers for that,” he maintained.

A memorial stone bears the inscription: “21 Para Special Forces of India killed my 12 innocent sheep of my Church on 4th December 2021, Time 4:00 pm.” (sic)

In commemoration of the grim anniversary, the Oting Village organized a candlelight service in remembrance of their slain brothers.

The program was held at 4:00 pm on December 4 at Langya Paan. Y Lenwang, CHM, chaired the program, while Chengam, Choirmaster, pronounced the invocation. Short speeches were delivered by Longwang Konyak, VCC; Yingkhao, President of KNSK; Noknai Konyak, President of OSU; and Yangpho Konyak, President of the Oting Citizen Forum.

The speakers reiterated that justice must be served. The President of the Konyak Nuypuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) Oting highlighted that, along with those who were killed, there are survivors who have been maimed for life. She urged that the welfare of the survivors be addressed.

Several villagers also participated in the candlelight ceremony, which was led by Pastor Nokyem.

“We will keep holding these memorial services each year until justice is served,” the pastor said. He opined that more than offering compensation, the responsible party should seek forgiveness, and only then will the grieving villagers find peace and reconciliation be possible.

“But that has not come yet,” he lamented.

A brief silent prayer ceremony was also held at the Konyak Morung in Kisama on the evening of December 4.