Nagaland killings: Army orders probe after 14 civilians gunned down by security forces

Security forces opened fire on civilians killing 14 and injuring 11 more in Nagaland’s Mon district in three consecutive incidents of firing the first of which was possibly a case of mistaken identity, police said on Sunday. One soldier also died in rioting which followed. The first firing which killed six civilians, occurred when army personnel mistook coal mine workers returning home in a pick-up van singing songs on Saturday evening, to be insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of the banned outfit NSCN (K), about whose movements they had been tipped off. As workers failed to reach their homes, local youth and villagers went in search of them and surrounded the army vehicles. In the ensuing melee one soldier was killed and army vehicles burnt down. Soldiers who fired in self-defence killed another seven civilians, said police officials. The Mon area is the stronghold of Naga group NSCN(K) and even ULFA and the incident comes ahead of the state’s signature “Hornbill festival”, which will be attended by several diplomats who are already in the area. Meanwhile, the army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident. It said that the incident and its aftermath is “deeply regretted” and the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has promised a high-level probe into the incident and appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace. The incident took place between Oting and Tiru villages when some daily-wage labourers were returning home in a pick-up van from a coal mine on Saturday evening, the police officer said. The vehicle was allegedly fired upon by army personnel, who were conducting an operation in the area after receiving inputs on the movement of militants of Yung Aung faction of proscribed outfit NSCN (K), he said. According to an Indian Express report, the incident triggered alarm in villages nearby and locals surrounded the security personnel. Around 7.30 pm, an official claimed that the security personnel came under attack from the villagers, some of whom snatched guns from the soldiers. Some security vehicles were also set on fire as well. While the security personnel initially fired in the air to warn the villagers, it was followed by firing from both sides which resulted in the death of one soldier and more civilians. Mon shares a porous international border with Myanmar, where the Yung Aung faction of NSCN (K) is based. The situation is under control and police is conducting spot verification, he said. Official sources said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General M M Naravane have been briefed about the incident. “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon district, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” a statement issued by the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Corps said. “The security forces have suffered severe injuries in the incident including one soldier who succumbed to the injuries,” it added. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the incident and assured that it will be investigated. He tweeted:

The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable.Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured. High level SIT will investigate & justice delivered as per the law of the land.Appeal for peace from all sections

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) December 5, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah too has expressed his anguish over the reported killings. He tweeted:

Anguished over an unfortunate incident in Nagaland’s Oting, Mon. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 5, 2021

More from India

Supreme Court clears Vantara elephant project, rejects PIL: Top 5 things to know Focus back to India-US trade deal: Trump’s negotiators landing in New Delhi tonight

Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton has promised that justice will be delivered. He tweeted:

Oting's (Mon) disturbing and tragic incident in which civilians were killed will be thoroughly investigated and justice will be served. Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. In the wake of the tragedy, I urge peace from everyone!

— Yanthungo Patton (@YanthungoPatton) December 5, 2021

Following the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre, saying the government must give a “real reply” as to what is the home ministry doing when “neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land” —

This is heart wrenching. GOI must give a real reply.

What exactly is the home ministry doing when neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land?#Nagaland pic.twitter.com/h7uS1LegzJ

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 5, 2021

In protest against the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisaiton (ENPO) urged the six tribes of the region to withdraw participation from the ongoing Hornbill Festival, which is the state’s biggest tourism extravaganza. “While expressing deep sorrow and sadness over the indiscriminate firing by Indian security force where more than 10 daily wage labourers from Oting village were blatantly killed, the ENPO vehemently condemn the barbaric act of the security force,” a release issued by the organisation said. The ENPO asked the six tribes to hoist black flags in their respective Morungs at Hornbill Festival venue Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near the state capital against the incident. “It has to be understood by all concerned that this order/move is not against the state government but to show resentment against the security forces who have committed this heinous crime, and to show solidarity of the six tribes,” it said. Abu Mehta, advisor to the chief minister, said that a two-minute silence will be observed and prayers will be held at Kisama for those killed in the incident.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Police and the army will conduct a joint press briefing in Kohima later on Sunday on the incident. With input from agencies