Many condemn killing of civilians in Mon district
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 05 2021:
Several organisations including prominent tribal students' bodies strongly condemned the killing of civilians in a counter insurgency operation by the Indian.
Army at Oting village in Mon district, Nagaland on Saturday evening.
Candle light vigil programmes were also carried out in Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts later in the evening to mourn the demise of the civilians.
In separate releases, United Naga Council (UNC), Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi (TKLD), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) GHQ and Joint Tribe Students' Association (JTSA) flayed ruthless killing of 13 innocent civilians by the Indian Army.
While demanding justice for the slain civilians, the bodies urged the central government to look into the matter and take appropriate action.
They also extended solidarity to bereaved families of the victims and also prayed for speedy recovery for those who suffered injuries in the firing incident.
Chandel District Apex CSOs namely CNPO, NWUC, Anal NagaTangpi, NSUCNCAC, CDCF and Monsang Naga Students' Union have also strongly condemned the incident of Oting village.
A joint press release signed by presidents of the CSOs of Chandel informed that a candlelight vigil was organised at the district HQ extending solidarity to the bereaved families and prayed for the victims and early recovery of the injured.
The apex CSOs also demanded justice for the victims.
Mao Council (MC) also condemned the "massacre committed by the Assam Rifles on December 4, 2021 at Oting village killing '15' innocent Naga villagers and injuring many others by taking law into their own hand under the shield of notorious AFSPA".
It further said that this "gruesome crime" is beyond human tolerance.
"This is yet another episode of the many heinous crimes against humanity by the Indian Paramilitary forces in the decades of Naga struggle for their political and historical rights," stated the Mao Council.
The Mao Council then urged the central government to be sincere in upholding the Framework Agreement and in respecting the Cease Fire ground rules.
"They must cease the double-standards of cold blooded killings of the Naga civilians on the pretext of faulty intelligence inputs," it asserted.
The Council "deeply mourns the death of our Konyak brothers from Oting village and expresses our deepest condolence to the bereaved families".
"May their souls rest in peace and may God grant solace to the bereaved families", it said.
The Mao Council then said that it will always stand by "our Konyak brothers" who were murdered and injured until justice is delivered and the culprits befittingly punished according to the law.
"The draconian Act of AFSPA must be withdrawn from the land of peace - loving Nagas and the Mao people will stand in solidarity with the entire Naga people to fight against its very existence," the Council added.