Thirteen civilians and a soldier were killed in Nagaland’s Mon district on Saturday evening near the India-Myanmar border in a suspected case of mistaken identity, leading to violence, arson and tension in the area. A fourteenth civilian was killed on Sunday evening in the ensuing violence.
On Saturday everning, the soldiers opened fire on a group of miners who were returning home to Oting village from a coal mine in Tiru area in a van, suspecting them to be terrorists. The Nagaland area is under the 3 Corps which looks after the state along with the Assam Rifles. The Special Forces unit involved in the incident is affiliated with the 3 Corps and is responsible for special operations in that area. The Army has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident and expressed deep regret. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has announced a high-level SIT into the incident. The state government on Sunday prohibited all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in Mon district.
As per sources, the security forces, after receiving a tip-off, were planning a counter insurgency operation in Mon. They laid an ambush near Oting village on Saturday evening. However, the vehicle that the Army personnel opened fire on, turned out to be carrying a group of villagers, six of whom died instantly, while two died on their way to the hospital.
The Special Forces in that area were tipped off by the intelligence agencies about the movement of some terrorists of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (Khaplang-Yung Aung). Sources in the security forces said the unit had deployed different teams for surveillance and ambush after receiving inputs about the movement of terrorists in the Tiru area of the Mon district. The civilians travelling in the Bolero vehicle were fired at by the troops after they crossed one of the ambush parties and reached the area of the second one which fired at the civilians, they said.
The labourers used to come home every Saturday to spend their Sunday with their families and returned to work on Monday. According to local police officials, the NSCN(KY) cadre were travelling in a vehicle of a specific colour and type, following which the area was cordoned off. Unfortunately, the civilians were also travelling in a similar vehicle and didn’t cooperate when asked to stop.
Sources said the initial confusion may have been caused as the civilians were carrying a hunting rifle.
After the incident took place, the Special Forces soldiers were waiting for the police to arrive when 14 soldiers present there were surrounded by an angry mob of at least 200 protesting against the killings. Sources said the civilians were very angry and were carrying machetes. A soldier was attacked who lost his life after which the Special Forces started firing in self-defence. To control the situation, the forces fired at the mob leading to the death of five villagers. Six more were injured. Two vehicles of the security forces were set on fire.
According to a statement issued by Army’s 3 Corps in Nagaland, “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 is deeply regretted.” It further added, “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. The security forces have suffered severe injuries in the incident.”
Further news coming from the district suggests that an Assam Rifles camp was vandalised by angry mobs in Mon district on Sunday. There were reports of rioting and arson as well. And a civilian died in the shooting that followed.
While prohibiting all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in Mon district, a notification issued by the Home Department of the Government of Nagaland, read, “Whereas, there is apprehension of grave law and order problems in Mon District, Nagaland owing to the prevailing situation created by firing incidents today, leading to the death of several persons in Tiru Oting village area under Tizit and Naginimora sub-divisions.” It further said, “Whereas Short Message Service (SMS), Whatsapp, Facebook, and other social media platforms could be used for spreading of rumours, fake news, and for circulating inflammatory texts, pictures, videos etc. which may inflame passions and thus exacerbate the law and order situation.”
As per the notification, the decision has been taken to prevent the misuse of the above-mentioned media from whipping up tension in the district, and further in order to prevent a breach of the public peace and tranquillity, and for maintaining law and order.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday ordered a high-level probe into the killings. On Sunday morning, the Chief Minister tweeted about the “unfortunate incident” that led to the “killing of civilians” in the village while appealing for calm. “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,” Chief Minister Rio posted on Twitter.
Home Minister, Amit Shah, expressed his condolences on such an unfortunate accident. 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.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday expressed his anguish over the killings. Conveying his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the “unfortunate incident”, Shah said that a high-level SIT constituted by the state government to probe into the matter will ensure that justice is brought to bereaved families. “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,” Shah tweeted on Sunday morning.
Local organizations have demanded actions against guilty officials. The relatives and family members of the victim have refused to receive the bodies until justice is delivered fast.
(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)