Nagaland killings: 14 Naga villagers killed in military action and subsequent retaliatory violence
Kohima:
A fierce protest over the killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland’s remote Mon district earlier this month – during and after an army anti-militancy operation that went horribly wrong – has now spread to the state capital Kohima.
The influential Naga Students Federation (NSF) has organized a massive rally in the city, with thousands taking to the streets demanding justice for those killed. The controversial AFSPA, or Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act,
Protesters lined up with banners and placards that read, “How many shots should be fired before AFSPA is repealed”, “AFSPA fosters the devil in Indian forces” and “Ban AFSPA, on our voice” No”.
The protesters are demanding the abolition of AFSPA with placards in their hands.
Today’s meeting is significant not only because it is the third straight day of protest, but also because it signals a steady escalation of resentment among the Nagas.
what started as a ‘Non-cooperation Movement’ by Konyak Sangh The (the apex body of the Konyak Naga tribe) spread in Mon on Wednesday, with the East Nagaland People’s Organization starting a fight.
ENPO, like the Konyak Union, Pledge to “stay away from any national function”promised “non-participation in military civilian programs” and said it would not allow recruitment drives in the area.
tomorrow that Protests intensify in the eastern part of the state Mon district remained closed from morning till evening, government and private offices remained closed and vehicular movement was disrupted.
Demonstration against the failed military operation in Nagaland, in which 14 innocent civilians were killed
Apart from Mon district, protests were held in Kiphire, Tuensang, Noklak and Longleng districts in the eastern part of the state, where shops were closed and angry residents flooded the streets.
Protests across the state have highlighted the immediate arrest of soldiers involved in the failed Army operation as one of their demands. He has also demanded the withdrawal of Home Minister Amit Shah. “False” and “fabricated” statements made in Parliament on 6th December
Nagaland killings: This incident has raised the demand for repeal of AFSPA in the state
Mr Shah had said that the army unit opened fire as the truck carrying the villagers accelerated when ordered to stop. Raising suspicion of insurgent activity, the soldiers opened fire, he said. The comments triggered more fierce protests in Mon, where people Shri Shah’s effigy burnt,
Somehow, in the initial burst of deadly fire, six villagers died.
No arms or ammunition were recovered from them or from the truck, and everyone in the vehicle was found to be coal miners. Eight more villagers and a soldier died in the violence over the next 48 hours.
The army has expressed regret over the killings and an internal investigationheaded by an officer of the rank of Major-General, while Murder case registered by the police on the soldiers involved,
The killings have re-focused on the AFSPA, which gives broad powers to military personnel in “disturbed areas”. Protesters fear it will be enforced to protect the soldiers involved.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his Meghalaya counterpart Konrad SangmaEd demands repeal of AFSPA, both in their respective states and in the Northeast.
AFSPA is in force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur (except the capital Imphal) and parts of Arunachal Pradesh as well as Jammu and Kashmir. It has been abolished in parts of Tripura and Meghalaya.
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