Mon Tragedy: Funeral for civilians performed under intense security
Guwahati: In the north-eastern state of Nagaland, India has held funeral rituals for 15 citizens slain by its security forces, amid tight security and periodic internet disruptions aimed at quelling new unrest in the remote territory.
According to reports, 14 members of the region’s powerful Konyak tribe, as well as one security personnel, were killed on Saturday when forces in the border state mistaken a group of workers for armed fighters and opened fire.
Another tribal member was slain during protests over the military operation on Sunday, prompting the government to initiate an investigation, as police and authorities increased patrols in preparation for the funeral rites.
Hundreds of mourners lined up on a public playground to lay flowers on the dead’s coffins as state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led a mass funeral service in the Mon region, the scene of the disaster.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Police has also registered an FIR against the paramilitary force in connection with the Oting firing case.
In the FIR it was mentioned that the intention of the security forces was to “kill and hurt civilians” because the operation was carried out without any prior notification or requisition for a local police guide.
The FIR further says, “It is to be noted that at the time of the incident, there was no local police guide nor did the security forces requisition to the police station to provide police guide for their operation. Hence, it is obvious that the intention of security forces was to murder and injure civilians.”
It may be mentioned that the Army issued a statement where they regretted the death of the civilians.
Paid my last respects to the innocent lives who were killed at Oting. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten. We are together in this. We stand in solidarity with the people. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed souls RIP. pic.twitter.com/R9K4Tk90fr
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) December 6, 2021