Veroli Zhimo
Dimapur | March 21
Almost four months after the firing incident and the subsequent violent clashes involving security forces in Mon district on December 4 and 5 last year, the people of Oting village are still struggling with grief and trying to heal—physically and emotionally.
For Sheiwang and Yeihwang, the two survivors from among those who were travelling on the ill-fated pickup truck on December 4, 2021, the past months have been harrowing in every sense of the word.
Sheiwang’s injuries left him blind in one eye while Yeihwang sustained brain injuries, affecting his mobility.
According to J Pumin, President of Oting Citizens Office (OCO), both Sheiwang and Yeihwang have going to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, Assam, for follow up treatments.
Corroborating this, Village Council Chairperson (VCC) Longwang told The Morung Express that Yeihwang had recently gone to AMCH for a scheduled surgery (cranioplasty). However, he was asked to come back after a two months as the conditions were reportedly not favourable for the procedure at the moment.
In terms of medical expenses and other forms of assistance, official sources in the district administration informed that the state government ‘has and will continue to pay for it.’
After affects
Along with payment of medical expenses, the government has also given Rs 50,000 each for those with minor injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries, the official said.
It was also informed that the next of kin of 13 out of the 14 civilians, who were killed in the incident, have already been given grade III or grade IV jobs in various government departments under Mon district, while one is still in process.
Meanwhile, both the VCC and J Pumin pointed out that those who have been ‘maimed’ as a result of the incident should also be given assistance in the form of a job for their next of kin.
“At an age when it became their turn to look after their parents; they have been handicapped and are unable to work like before. Instead their aged parents have to care for them again, and that is not right,” they said, adding that the village authorities had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister through the Mon Deputy Commissioner.
On this, Mon DC Thavaseelan K noted that there were a few individuals who have suffered injuries that are more permanent in nature. He clarified that the government has not made any commitment to provide jobs to the injured, as of now. However, he said that if the district administration receives applications from the families along with appropriate documentation and doctor’s assessment, the same can be forwarded to higher authorities to examine and take appropriate actions.
According to the village authorities, there are at least five persons including Sheiwang and Yeihwang, whose injuries have ‘left them crippled.’
Every corner a stark reminder
While the intense public attention has dwindled down to some extent, for the close-knit community in Oting village, every corner they turn is a stark reminder of the horrific incident.
“If we sit idle, our thoughts tend to drift to the incident night; when we see photos or their old belongings or their friends, we cannot help but think back on better days; so we try our best to keep busy and distract ourselves from the pain,” Pastor of Oting Baptist Church Nokyem said, adding that many family members of the deceased men turn to the church looking for comfort and solace.
“They know they have to move on from the heartbreak, but it is very difficult,” he explained, adding that as a pastor, all he can do is help them with the words of the Bible and pray with them.
Referring to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report that has long been overdue, the VCC, the OCO President as well as Pastor Nokyem posed, “What can we do but wait?”
“We are being told that investigation is complete; it’s coming, etc., so we wait. We villagers don’t know where to go seeking justice. So, in the mean time, we are trying our best to move on and heal, and earn for our own survival,” they added.
While expressing belief that the Konyak Union and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation would ensure that the culprits are brought to justice, they lamented that there has been no sincere apology from those who perpetrated violence against the people.
“Forgiveness is in the hands of the families of those who were killed and maimed and ultimately in God’s hand, but a sincerely apology goes a long way, and that has not come yet,” they added.
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