Coming down heavily on the Indian Armed forces for killing 15 civilians in the operation at Oting village in Mon district, Nagaland, the NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K) on Sunday stated that the absurdity and insanity of the Indian security forces has been exposed in the most brutish manner.
Today is a ‘black day’ for the Nagas as they mourn the barbaric killing of 15 innocent villagers in Oting village under Konyak Region (in Mon district, Nagaland) on Sunday, NSCN (I-M) stated in a release issued by its ministry of information and publicity.
The Indian security forces will never be able to wash its hands off, smeared with the blood of innocent Nagas no matter how it comes out with a nonsensical statement which is linked to credible intelligence reports of movement of insurgents, it stated.
It is learned that the killing was the work of the trigger-happy 21st Para Commandos/Assam Rifles, NSCN (I-M), it added.
“The Nagas had in the past faced trigger-happy Indian security forces, acting with impunity under the Government of India’s Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act/AFSPA which is mainly used against the Naga political movement,” it mentioned.
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Notwithstanding the ongoing Naga political dialogue that has seen much fruition during the period running more than two decades, the violence against the Nagas continues unabated, it further stated, adding this is one of the most unfortunate incidents of the Naga ceasefire signed in 1997.
“Under this situation we find it difficult to use the right words to condemn the killing of unarmed civilians and it cannot be justified in any manner in Nagalim where the Naga peace process has seen much progress,” it stated.
Such a barbaric act of killing innocent people is against humanity and those responsible for such heinous acts should be brought to justice.
The fact that the ubiquitous Indian security forces have brought about a toxic storm of bloody dust in Nagalim is not a new thing but a repeat of the past to suppress the legitimate Naga political movement, it mentioned.
NSCN (I-M) also expressed its deep anguish and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. “We also share our sympathy with those who are grievously injured and pray for their speedy recovery,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Konyak National Workers under the leadership of its president Q Tuccu, vice president Tongmeth Wangnao and ‘ato kilonser’ Th Muivah strongly condemn the incident.
Under no circumstances the security forces have the right to inflict upon the general masses, it stated in a release. “The unscrupulous and savage act of the Indian Security forces should be condemned by all the right thinking citizens. The six decades old AFSPA has done nothing right rather than being an act to suppress the self-determination of the Nagas to live as a nation,” it stated.
"The Konyak National Workers deeply mourn along with the Konyak brethrens and convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Let the departed souls rest in peace,” it added.
The Eastern Naga National Workers, Union, (ENPO) also expressed vehement condemnations against the “the cowardly act of the Assam Riffles” over the peace loving citizens and mourned along with the Konyak brethren, and conveyed its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members, in a release.
