KOHIMA: A civilian, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound during the violent protests at Mon town in Nagaland following the tragic Oting killings of December 04 in 2021, has passed away.
Langpho Konyak, a resident of Chaoha Chingnyu village in Mon district of Nagaland, breathed his last at the Mon district hospital on March 23, after a two-week struggle in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Langpho sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the tumultuous protest that erupted in Mon town of Nagaland on December 05, 2021.
The protesters, in their agitation, attempted to breach the Assam Rifles camp in Mon town of Nagaland, prompting security personnel to open fire.
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Official reports at the time indicated that at least seven protesters were injured in the shooting, one of whom ultimately succumbed.
Two weeks ago, Langpho’s condition reportedly deteriorated, prompting his admission to the ICU of the Mon district hospital.
Langpho leaves behind grieving parents and several siblings.
In his mid-twenties, Langpho, along with his elder brother, was the primary provider for the family, earning their livelihood as daily wage labourer.
The funeral service took place on March 24 in his native village.
On December 4, 2021, a unit of the 21st Para Special Forces of the Indian Army was involved in an incident where six civilians were killed near the village of Oting in the Mon District of Nagaland.
Subsequently, eight additional civilians and one soldier lost their lives in ensuing violence.
The killings sparked widespread condemnation, with many advocating for the repeal and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
On the evening of December 4, 2021, between 4:00 and 5:00 pm, a unit of the 21 Para Special Forces conducted an ambush on an open-bed pickup truck transporting civilians from Oting village, who were returning from a coal mine at Tiru in Nagaland.
The soldiers opened fire during the ambush, resulting in the death of six individuals and causing serious injuries to two others.
The Army stated that the incident occurred due to an intelligence failure, as they believed the vehicle was carrying Naga insurgents.
They asserted that they fired upon the vehicle only after their commands to stop were disregarded.
However, both survivors and Nagaland police, after a preliminary inquiry, disputed these claims.
The day after the incident, the Nagaland government implemented section 144 in Mon district, aiming to control public gatherings and movement.
Additionally, mobile internet and bulk SMS services were suspended indefinitely.
Despite these measures, public demonstrations ensued.
Hundreds of individuals gathered and entered a local Assam Rifles camp in Mon town of Nagaland, resulting in the death of one more civilian.