Due to a counter-insurgency operation at an Indo-Myanmar border on Saturday, thirteen villagers and a soldier have been killed. One more villager died as a mob attacked the Assam Rifles camp.
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code(CrPc) has been imposed in the Mon district of Nagaland and movement of all vehicles of non-essential nature including the commercial vehicles have also been restricted.
So far 14 civilians and one special forces personnel have been killed in the district. A murder case has also been registered. The Nagaland government has formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. The case has been transferred to the Crime branch. The activities of state’s signature festival Hornbill have also been halted till Monday night due to this incident, said sources from the government.
The Indian Army had set special forces for the counter-insurgency operation in the Mon district that borders Myanmar, said sources. Following a hint about a potential movement of insurgents, they had laid a trap close to Oting town on Saturday evening. However, they started shooting at a truck on the Tiru-Oting road, which was carrying civilians, said sources from the police. Six civilians were killed in the firing by the forces, two were died a little later when they were taken to the hospital.
In the evening, the situation turned tense in Mon district as angry protestors encompassed the Assam rifles camp. As per the police sources, they broke into the camp and attempted to burn down a part of it. A man died in the violence. Assam Rifles has delivered a statement saying it “deeply regrets” the loss of lives of “our Naga brothers.”
“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 Army said in a statement.
The state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who was in Delhi has returned back and will visit Mon on Tuesday to meet the residents. He has already declared that the SIT will investigate the matter. Internet services have also been suspended in the district to prevent the spread of rumours.
“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,” said Union Minister Amit Shah in a tweet.
The Chief Minister also tweeted, “The unfortunate incident leading to the 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”.
