Mon Killings: FNR asks Nagaland Govt to act on SIT report

May 6, 2022 49 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, MAY 6 (MExN): The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has insisted that the Nagaland State Government act upon the Special Investigating Team (SIT) report, which it has already received, on the December 4 and 5,2021 killings of 14 civilians in Oting and Mon.

A press release from the FNR expressed regret that even after 5 months since the SIT investigation was initiated the Government has made no official statement about the status of the SIT investigation or its report. Various political leaders have commented that the delay was due to the awaited forensic reports, it noted. The FNR said that the Government of Nagaland’s handling of the investigation is “disingenuous, and lacks political sincerity and integrity.” This inaction, it said, has further traumatized the affected family members, community and deepens the people’s distrust.

Given the heinous nature and implications of the killings, and the public’s response through nonviolent protests for justice, the Government of Nagaland was expected to handle the case without delay and political courage to facilitate justice, the FNR said.

The FNR affirmed that there must be no miscarriage of justice, and truth must be told for justice to be delivered. Maintaining that the investigation and its findings are a matter of public interest, the FNR emphasized that for justice to prevail, the SIT report must be made public as a gesture of transparency and accountability to the affected families and community. Further, it said that the report needs to “reveal the perpetrators’ role in the system of violence sustained with impunity” through acts such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The FNR said that widespread public denunciation ensued after killing of the 14 innocent civilians, which blatantly violated the sanctity of life, breached public trust, and shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

“The seriousness of the political violence compelled the Government of Nagaland to issue an order on December 5, 2021 constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to “facilitate free and fair investigations” into the case,” it said. The FNR reminded that according to the terms of reference, the SIT investigation was to be completed within one month from the date of registration.

While standing firmly in solidarity with the Konyak people through the Konyak Union (KU) and Konyak Civil Societies, the FNR urged the government to fast track the delivery of justice as demanded by the people and as assured by the IGAR (North), Major General Vikas Lakhera, on February 7, 2022 at the Conference Hall of DC Mon.

It further supported the Konyak Civil Society’s decision to pursue this. “Justice will be served after all military personnel involved in the killing of 14 innocent civilians are identified, tried in a court of law, and punished according to the rule of law. In addition, action taken must be put out in public domain and AFSPA must be decisively repealed,” the FNR asserted.

“By reiterating its position taken to demand justice, fully supported by the Naga public and wider public beyond,” the FNR said that the KU has “modeled integrity and made an opening for policy strategists in a manner befitting to be straightforward in upholding India’s respected legacy in matters of moral, ethical values of human affairs.”

It further stated that the Government of India must not treat lightly its official emblem inherited from Emperor Ashoka – ‘SATYAMEVA JAYATE (Truth Alone Triumphs).’

Source: https://morungexpress.com/mon-killings-fnr-asks-nagaland-govt-to-act-on-sit-report