The Nagaland Police, on Monday, lodged a murder case against the 21st Para Special Force of the Army for their alleged involvement in firing on civilians.
Even though several tribal individuals called for shutdowns in protest against the action of security forces, the situation still remains tense. Under Section 144 of the CrPC a Prohibitory order has been issued in Mon Town, However, unrest carries on among civilians, said officials. Amidst the prevalent confusion of firing on civilians by secured forces,
The Konyak Union, which is the apex trial body in the district, had initially claimed that 17 civilians were killed in the firing. However, they later changed their report to 14 death tolls. The police investigation claims that 14 civilians were killed in separate incidents of firing between Saturday and Sunday.
The first incident in which six civilians were killed, occurred when army personnel mistook coal mine workers returning home in a pick-up van on Saturday evening, to be insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of the banned outfit NSCN(K). 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. Rioting spilled over into Sunday afternoon when angry mobs vandalized the offices of the Konyak Union and an Assam Rifles camp in the area, setting fire to parts of the camp, as claimed by the police officials. At least one more person was killed, as security forces fired back at attackers. The Nagaland Police filed a suo moto FIR against the 21st Para Special Force of the Army.
A case was registered under Sections 302/307/34 of the IPC, relating to murder, attempt to murder and criminal act committed by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all. In the complaint,
Tizit Police Station in the district said, “On December 4th, at around 15:30 hours, coal mine labourers were returning to their native village Opting from Tiru in a vehicle. On reaching Longkhao, between Upper Tiru and Oting, security forces blankly fired at the vehicle without provocation. Which resulted in the killing of many villagers and seriously injuring many others."
According to the FIR, “It is to be noted, that at the time of the incident, there was no local police guide, nor did the security forces requisition to police station to provide police guide for their operation. Hence, it is obvious that the intention of security forces was to murder and injure civilians.”
The people are urging authorities to take necessary action against the culprits. In a mourning mood, tribal groups, civil societies and student bodies on Monday morning imposed shutdowns of different durations ranging from six to 12 hours across the state.
The influential Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has announced five days of mourning, while also asking tribals not to participate in any celebration during this period. Officials said, among the 28 injured, the condition of six people is stated to be critical and they are undergoing treatment at hospital. The people receive a ray of hope when Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio says, The incident was “highly condemnable” and a “high- level” special investigation team would probe the case to ensure ” justice is delivered”.
