A report by T John Longkumer, Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP) has made several shocking revelations, not the least of which is how “special forces personnel trying to hide the dead bodies of the six villagers by wrapping and loading them” in a pick-up truck. The report refers to the killing of coal miners, all members of Nagaland’s Konyak tribe, who were returning home after work on December 4, 2021.

The Telegraph quoted an excerpt from the report that traces the events of that fateful evening saying, “On the evening of 4th December around 1610 hours, when eight villagers were returning home from coal mining work at Tiru in a pick-up truck, they were ambushed and killed by Security Forces (reportedly, 21st Para Special Force based in Assam) at random, apparently without any attempt for identification.”

SabrangIndia had reported previously how on the security forces had claimed that they had ambushed the convoy because they had “bad intel” that members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) or NSCN-K, a separatist group that has been designated a terrorist group, were travelling through the region. Shortly afterwards, the Army had issued a statement saying, “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted.”

However, this explanation didn’t wash with anyone given how security forces opened fire without verifying the identities of the people they were shooting at, something that has now been corroborated by the DGP’s report. Six persons were killed on the spot, and two others were taken to Dibrugarh Medical College Hospital, where they were admitted to the ICU, as per the report.

Meanwhile, villagers had sent out search parties when the miners did not reach home. It is at this point that the report makes its most shocking revelation saying, “On reaching the spot, they found the pick-up truck and the special forces personnel trying to hide the dead bodies of the six villagers by wrapping and loading them in another pick-up truck (Tata Mobile) apparently with the intention of taking the dead bodies to their base camp,” as per excerpt quoted in The Telegraph report.

When the villagers discovered bodies covered in tarpaulin sheets, they retaliated by setting three vehicles on fire. That’s when security forces opened fire once again and shot dead more villagers. A total of 13 civilians and one member of the security forces were killed on Saturday.

Meanwhile, India Today carried excerpts of the report pertaining to the violence by protesters at the Assam Rifles Camp 27 located in the Thamnan Ward. The report said, that originally a mass funeral was planned by the Konyak Union on Sunday, but the event was postponed to Monday morning. “However, no clear announcement was made on the postponement of the funeral service. This led to confusion among the crowd that had gathered for the funeral service at the Helipad in Mon town,” India Today quoted the report as saying. This prompted the attack on the camp, and security forces opened fire on protesters who were wielding machetes, sticks and pipes. A resident of Chi village was confirmed dead in this incident, and six people including an India Reserve Battalion personnel were reported to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called off the Hornbill Festival. The 10-day celebration of the state’s tribal culture was to end on December 10, but now stands cancelled in wake of widespread protests and an increasing demand to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

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Nagaland killings: Chorus grows for repeal of AFSPA

The post Army tried to hide bodies: Nagaland DGP’s report appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is the latest to voice his opinion against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958. In wake of the killing of mine workers and civilians in Nagaland by security forces on Saturday, the demand to repeal the draconian Act has been growing.

After one more person succumbed to his injuries, the death toll now stands at 15, with 14 civilians and one member of the security forces. Pressure is now building on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government that is part of the ruling alliance in many of the states in the region. Clearly, calling it an “unfortunate incident”, as both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland CM Rio had done in the immediate aftermath of the incident is not going to be enough.

On Monday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma became the first CM in the north east to demand the Act’s repeal, and later in the day, Nagaland CM Rio echoed the same demand. Taking to Twitter, Rio said, “Nagaland and the Naga people have always opposed #AFSPA. It should be repealed.”

Nagaland and the Naga people have always opposed #AFSPA. It should be repealed.

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) December 6, 2021

Earlier, Conrad Sangma had tweeted, “AFSPA should be repealed.” His National People’s Party (NPP) is in an alliance with the BJP in Meghalaya.

AFSPA should be repealed

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 6, 2021

AFSPA and the abuse of power in the North East

The AFSPA has been in effect in the North East since 1958, while Nagaland became an Indian state in 1963 and has thus remained under AFSPA for close to sixty years. AFSPA allows security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without a warrant. This power has allegedly been misused by security forces to torture locals with several allegations of gendered crimes also mode from time to time.

The image of the Mothers of Manipur stripping and holding a banner saying, “Indian Army Rape Us”, is still fresh in the minds of people. The AFSPA has been condemned by many rights groups and most famously by human rights defender Irom Sharmila for its misuse by security forces to commit excesses, abuse and human rights violations.

In fact, scrapping the AFSPA was one of the key demands of the draft framework agreement to maintain peace in the region signed between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and the government interlocutor RN Ravi in 2015. However, the act was not withdrawn.

In January 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the entire state of Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months (after it had done so in June 2020), under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958. This was extended by six more months at the end of June 2021, and is therefore effective till December 31, 2021. This is how repeated extensions have kept the draconian law in effect in the North East for decades.

Impact on Naga Peace talks

Meanwhile, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) that comprise seven separatist groups that are in talks with the Indian government as part of the Naga Peace Process have also dug their heels in, demanding the repeal of AFSPA. The impact of the killings on the peace talk can be gauged by the strongly worded statement issued by the NNPG, where it said, “The draconian laws in Nagaland and military atrocities over many decades have made Naga people very aware that they are not and will never be Indians.”

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) too condemned the Army for its explanation that the ambush on the convoy of coal miners was the result of bad intel. It called the statement issued by the Army “nonsensical”, and said that the security forces “will never be able to wash its hands off, smeared with the blood of innocent Nagas…” It further said, “The Nagas had in the past faced a trigger-happy Indian SF, acting with impunity under the GoI’s AFSPA which is mainly used against the Naga pol. movement. Notwithstanding the ongoing pol. dialogue that has seen much fruition during the period running more than 2 decades the violence continues unabated. This is 1 of the most unfortunate incidents of the Indo Naga ceasefire signed.”

Ironically, it is a repeat of the past to suppress the legitimate Naga pol. movement. The Indian SF 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. (2/4)

— MIP, NSCN/GPRN (@MIP_GPRN) December 5, 2021

..the violence continues unabated.This is 1 of the most unfortunate incidents of the IndoNaga ceasefire signed. NSCNexpresses its deep anguish&conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. We also share our sympathy with those who are injured.(4/4)

— MIP, NSCN/GPRN (@MIP_GPRN) December 5, 2021

Meanwhile, leaders from across India are also joining their fellow Indians in the North East to demand the repeal of AFSPA:

The unfortunate killings of 13 citizens in Nagaland should force us to re-think and review AFSPA so that accountability can be fixed.

We must stand by the CM’s of Nagaland and Meghalaya (both allies of the NDA) as they demand to repeal AFSPA.

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) December 7, 2021

Strongly condemn the botched operation by Army in Nagaland killing at least 17 civilians and one soldier.
Army’s explanation of “an intelligence failure” is inadequate.
Thorough time bound probe & punishing the guilty imperative.
Withdraw AFSPA. https://t.co/IKYqVg2vRU pic.twitter.com/x2yqo5UUWo

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) December 6, 2021

Related:

MHA declares entire Nagaland ‘disturbed area’

Turmoil in the North East: Where are the Naga Peace Talks headed?

Nagaland steps one step closer to lasting peace

Turmoil in the NE: The Naga Pact and its ramifications

Security forces gun down 13 civilians in Nagaland

The post Nagaland killings: Chorus grows for repeal of AFSPA appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Personnel of the Assam Rifles shot dead at least 13 people on December 4 in two interconnected incidents – the first they claimed was a counter-insurgency operation, the second was due to firing “in self defence” when people protesting the previous deaths attacked an Assam Rifles camp.

However, when it was revealed that those killed in the so-called “counter insurgency operation” were coal mine workers from a nearby village, all members of the Konyak tribe, security forces claimed they had been fed bad intel.

What happened on Saturday, December 4?

The incident took place in Mon district at a spot between Tiru and Oting villages, just about 100 kilometers from India’s international border with Myanmar. Security forces claim they were told about movement of members of the Yung Aung faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) or NSCN-K, a separatist group that has been designated a terrorist group. On the evening of December 4, when workers at a coal mine nearby, all members of the Konyak tribe, were returning home, security forces ambushed this passing convoy and opened fire, killing six coal mine workers on the spot; two more died en route to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Oting villagers sent out search parties when the coal mine workers did not return home. Upon discovering that they had been gunned down by security forces, a violent protest broke out where Camp 27 of the Assam Rifles was attacked and some vehicles and properties owned by Assam Rifles personnel were set on fire. Here security forces opened fire in what they claimed was “self defence” and shot dead five more protesting civilians, and injured six others. One of the security forces personnel was also killed in this incident.

Blame it on “bad intel”?

After it became clear that the people killed in the operation were coal mine workers and not terrorists, the security forces offered a feeble defence of “bad intel”. The Army issued a statement saying, “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted.”

But the “bad intel” story does not wash with even members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that is in power in Nagaland. BJP Nagaland state president Temjen Imna Along, who is also the Minister for Higher Education and Tribal Affairs in the state called it “the lamest excuse” and was “tantamount to war crimes during peacetime and amounts to summary execution as well as genocide,” in a public letter signed by him, reported NDTV.

Gov’t scurries to save face

Pushed on the backfoot with such a huge faux pass in a state governed by them, BJP heavyweight and Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted to investigate the incident. But curiously internet services have been frozen under the guise of preventing the spread of fake news and misinformation. “SMS, Whatsapp, Facebook and other social media could be could be used for spreading rumours, fake news and for circulating inflammatory text, videos, pictures etc. which may inflame passions and thus exacerbate the law and order situation,” says an order passed by Home Commissioner of Nagaland, Abhijit Singha.

Prohibitory orders have also been issued preventing an assembly of five or more people.

A suo motu FIR has also been registered by the police.

Timing of the attack

The timing of the attack is most curious as it comes just as the Naga Peace talks have reached a stalemate of sorts when it comes to key elements of the Framework Agreement. Even today, the subject of a separate flag and Constitution, as well as sovereignty remain contentious. At present Indian government authorities are in talks with the NSCN (IM) i.e the Issac-Muivah faction of the NSCN to finalise a peace agreement.

The shooting also comes in the middle of the famous Hornbill festival, that is a huge celebration of tribal culture in the North Eastern state. Six Naga tribes, led by the bereaved Konyak tribe, have now withdrawn from the festival, where a candle-light vigil was held at the festival grounds Kisama Heritage Village on Sunday night. Black flags were also flown from the Morungs (traditional huts of different tribes) at the site of the Hornbill Festival. Similar vigils have been reported from many other small and large cities and towns like Phek.

“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 Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) vehemently condemn the barbaric act of the security force,” said the ENPO in a statement. Urging withdrawal of six Naga groups from the Hornbill Festival, ENPO further said, “Meanwhile, in the interest of the 6 tribes the ENPO declares hours of mourning, and further request all the 6 tribes under ENPO to abstain from participation in the ensuing Hornbill Festival with immediate effect till the funeral is over. Further request to hoist black-flag in all Morungs of the 6 tribes at Kisama.” ENPO clarified, “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.”

The Ao Senden, a major group of the Ao tribe, has called for a total Bandh in Nagaland on Monday. Many students’ groups have also condemned the violence against the innocent mine workers. These include the Naga Student Federation, the Naga Hoho, the Kuki Student Organisation, the Sumi Hoho, the Rengma Hoho, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, and many others.

Demand for repeal of AFSPA

Many tribal groups have also demanded the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a draconian act that permits security forces to operate with little or no regard for human rights in the area.

The AFSPA has been in effect in the North East since 1958, while Nagaland became an Indian state in 1963 and has thus remained under AAFSPA for close to sixty years. AFSPA allows security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without a warrant. It has been condemned by many rights groups and most famously by human rights defender Irom Sharmila for its misuse by security forces to commit excesses, abuse and human rights violations.

In fact, scrapping the AFSPA was one of the key demands of the draft framework agreement to maintain peace in the region signed between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah) and the government interlocutor RN Ravi in 2015. However, the act was not withdrawn.

In January 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the entire state of Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958. This was extended by six more months at the end of June 2021, and is therefore effective till December 31, 2021.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, whose National People’s Party is in an alliance with the BJP, has also called for the repeal of AFSPA.

AFSPA should be repealed

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 6, 2021

Political reactions

The firing and the feeble non-apology have also drawn sharp criticism from various political quarters as well as civil society groups.

This is heart wrenching. GOI must give a real reply.

What exactly is the home ministry doing when neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land?#Nagaland pic.twitter.com/h7uS1LegzJ

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 5, 2021

Worrisome news from #Nagaland.

Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.

We must ensure a thorough probe into the incident and ensure that all victims get justice!

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 5, 2021

Such brutality, especially from security forces, in a civilised society where we all yearn for peace and tranquility is most unfortunate. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the 13 souls lost. And wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. 2/2

— TR Zeliang (@TRZeliang) December 5, 2021

Killing scores of home bound working youths in Oting in #Nagaland by the #SecurityForces is unacceptable @DefenceMinIndia. Demand enquiry and fair measures of healing @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/sp3SL09s4W

— Pradyut Bordoloi (@pradyutbordoloi) December 5, 2021

Deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of lives at the firing incident in Nagaland’s Oting. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of those injured and peace to be restored ??@Neiphiu_Rio

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 5, 2021

Related:

MHA declares entire Nagaland ‘disturbed area’

Turmoil in the North East: Where are the Naga Peace Talks headed?

Nagaland steps one step closer to lasting peace

Turmoil in the NE: The Naga Pact and its ramifications

The post Security forces gun down 13 civilians in Nagaland appeared first on SabrangIndia.