11 civilians gunned down by security forces in Nagaland's Mon district

11 civilians gunned down by security forces in Nagaland's Mon district

11 civilians gunned down by security forces in Nagaland's Mon district

New Delhi : A group of civilians travelling in a mini truck was allegedly killed by security forces on Saturday night near Mon in Nagaland.

The number of civilians killed remains unclear. Initial reports said six. According to PTI, a police officer said that the exact number of fatalities is yet to be ascertained as 11 people died on the spot, and several others succumbed to their injuries in hospitals in neighbouring Assam.

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, according to PTI.

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), PTI quoted the officer as saying.

Police, PTI said in its report, was investigating whether the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

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 are conducting spot verification, he said.

Security forces meanwhile said it was a case of mistaken identity as the forces were sitting in an ambush when the truck arrived on the scene. Either the truck was caught in the crossfire between forces and insurgents or the truck was mistaken to be the vehicle carrying the insurgents, sources said. Both angles are being investigated.

The Indian Army and the Assam Rifles have said one jawan was killed in the incident and some others injured.

The Army and Assam Rifles said there was credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland.

"High level SIT will investigate & justice delivered as per the law of the land", Rio said and termed the incident “unfortunate and condemnable”.

Protests erupted in Nagaland over the killing, prompting the chief minister to appeal for calm.

Union Home Minister also tweeted about the incident.

"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's tweet said.

Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton promised that justice will be delivered.

"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!" he tweeted.

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 laborers from Oting village were blatantly killed, the ENPO vehemently condemn the barbaric act of the security force," a release issued 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 Govt., but to show resentment against the security forces who have committed this heinous crime, and to show solidarity of the 6 tribes," it said.

Abu Mehta, the adviser to the chief minister, said that two minutes' silence will be observed and prayers will be held at Kisama for those killed in the incident.

— With PTI