Konyak Union (KU) has expressed shock and disbelief at the recent decision of the Supreme Court to quash the Oting case, where 13 innocent civilians were brutally killed in a botched ambush by 21 Para SF from Jorhat on December 4, 2021.
KU president Tingthok Konyak and press & media secretary Nokzei P Konyak in a press release said the decision had come as a significant blow to justice and accountability, especially when the entire world recognized that the incident was a clear violation of military operational standards.
KU said it was undeniable that sufficient evidences, as documented in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, had been made available to substantiate the wrongful killings. With this court’s decision, KU wondered whether there was any meaningful difference between a terror group and some rogue elements within the armed forces who, under the cover of AFSPA, could carry out such heinous acts and evade prosecution.
Despite mounting pressure from various quarters and pain, they said KU had in the spirit of peace and reconciliation maintained a calm and cooperative relationship with all parties concerned, hoping that justice would be served.
Asserting that this should not be mistaken for weakness, KU clarified that they did not hold the entire armed forces responsible for the actions of a few, but expected justice for the families of the victims and accountability for those involved.
However, should the central government remain adamant in protecting the guilty soldiers, they cautioned that it would bring embarrassment to the nation on a global scale. They stressed that the same standards of justice must apply to all.
KU said their advocacy for peace and reconciliation was born out of a sincere desire for progress and goodwill, in the belief that justice would prevail. They stressed that gravity of the crime demanded a response that reinstated trust in the judiciary and democratic system.
Urging the state government to make a fresh appeal to the Supreme Court for the prosecution of those involved, KU called upon the Home Ministry to grant “prosecution sanction” without delay. They also appealed the Centre and State to provide further financial aid and support to the families of the victims, especially to those who had been severely injured and left permanently disabled.
Further, they reiterated the demand for immediate withdrawal of AFSPA, insisting that they law that gave impunity to those responsible for innocent lives lost must be repealed immediately.
Hoping that justice would prevail, they urged all parties concerned to work towards a logical and just conclusion to this case.