Toll in SF firing in Mon rise to 15; curfew imposed

STATE GOVT FORMS SIT; EX-GRATIA TO VICTIMS ANNOUNCED

DIMAPUR, DEC 6 (NPN) :Curfew under Section 144 CrPC was promulgated throughout Mon district Sunday following the spate of violent incidents in Mon town that took place in the af-termath of the horrific incident on Saturday, when six youths returning to Oting village after working at a coal mine at Tiru, were gunned down by the Special Forces (21 Para commandos).

The fallout of the incidents at Mon has reverberated throughout Nagaland where all tribe bodies, political parties, Naga groups, students and CSOs have issued strong condemnations against the perpetrators.

The incident that has sparked wide outrage happened on Saturday when the Special Forces (21 Paras) laid an ambush based on inputs that some militants were travelling in two white pick-up trucks.

The security forces claimed they fired as the vehicles carrying the suspected militants tried to flee. Official sources however, confirmed that no weapons were found with the dead bodies of the six killed nor in the pick-up trucks. Villagers on hearing of the horrific killings confronted the 21 Paras that night and in the ensuing fracas, torched two vehicles. In the resultant firing by security forces, seven more civilians were killed– five from Oting, one from another village and another non-Naga.

The following day on Sunday, after coffins containing the bodies of victims were placed at the premises of Konyak Union Office, public of Mon town went on rampage. They attacked Assam Rifles camp and the personnel responded with blank firing to disperse the protestors. Two civilians died in the firing in Mon town on Sunday and taking the death toll to 15.

Protestors also torched some huts at the camp’s periphery. According to official sources, the Assam Rifles were not involved in Saturday’s incident. According to reports, 11 persons were also injured. Some of those injured seriously were flown by charted helicopter to Dimapur and admitted to CIHSR.

A high level delegation led by minister of transport and civil aviation Paiwang Konyak, commissioner Nagaland Rovilatuo Mor, DGP TJ Longkumer and other official reached Oting village Sunday to take stock of the situation.

According to chief secretary J. Alam, the government has also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and ex-gratia for the injured persons too, even as all the injured persons were being extended medical care. While deputy CM Y. Patton also rushed back to Mon from Delhi on Sunday, chief minister Neiphiu Rio will also visit Mon Monday along with cabinet colleagues.

Hornbill to continue: The state government has decided to cancel all cultural activities on December 6 and activities will resume only after completion of funeral services at Mon for the ‘sunset and evening events.

However, the evening events on Sunday at Kisama were suspended. Each day a 2-minute silence and prayer will be held before start of the each day’s session in memory of those killed in Mon district by armed forces. On Sunday, a two-minute silence was held at Kisama Heritage Village before the start of the morning session.

Internet suspended: In view of the prevailing tension in Mon district following the deaths of civilians in Mon district by security forces, the State government on Sunday prohibited all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in the entire area of Mon district with immediate effect. In a notification issued by the home commissioner Abhijit Sinha said that the government has suspended SMS, Whatsapp, Facebook, and other social media platforms, which could be used for spreading of rumours, fake news, and for circulating inflammatory texts, pictures, videos etc. which may inflame passions and thus exacerbate the law and order situation.

SIT formed: Nagaland government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the December 4 firing incidents in an area between Tiru and Oting village.

Officials said that the SIT team reached Mon and has been given one month to complete the investigation from the date of registration of the case. According to special secretary (home) SR Saravanan, the SIT will conduct investigation under the overall supervision of ADG (law & order) Sandeep Tamgadge, with IGP (R) Limasunep Jamir as the chief investigation officer and four police officers.

In order to facilitate free and fair investigation in view of the complexity of the case, which may involve multiple jurisdictions beyond Mon district, the case has been transferred to state crime police station (SCPS), Saravanan said.

CoI: Meanwhile, the Army on Sunday ordered a Court of Inquiry into the killing of several civilians during an operation in Mon district, and promised action based on the findings of the probe.

Army regrets: The Army in a statement issued through PRO (Defence) Kohima expressed deep regrets for the December 4 incident.

The Army said that the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law.

It further said that: “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.”

It said that the security forces also suffered severe injuries in the incident including one soldier who succumbed to the injuries.

According to reports Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen MM Naravane were also briefed about the incident.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/toll-in-sf-firing-in-mon-rise-to-15-curfew-imposed/246014.html