Dispur: The Naga Students’ Organisation (NSO) has condemned a reported drone attack on a civilian home in Langkho village of Lahe Township in ‘Myanmar-occupied’ Nagaland, saying two civilians, including a nine-year-old schoolgirl, were injured in the incident.
In a press statement issued on October 4, the organisation said the reported attack took place at around 1 am on October 3, when two drones allegedly dropped four bombs on a residential house located in the middle of the village.
The NSO said two of the bombs exploded, while the other two failed to detonate and remain buried at the site, posing an ongoing danger to residents.
According to the organisation, the reported attack injured a nine-year-old Grade 5 student and a male adult.
The NSO said the unexploded bombs pose an immediate and serious threat to people living nearby, particularly children and other civilians. It said no qualified personnel were currently available to safely locate, remove or defuse the unexploded ordnance.
The organisation said the affected house was occupied by six civilians and claimed that none of them were armed or involved in any armed activity.
The reported targeting of a civilian household in the middle of a village, where children and elderly people were present, was described by the NSO as a matter requiring serious attention.
The organisation said the reported drone attack raised concerns over state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of civilians under international law.
The NSO argued that military operations carried out by the armed forces of one state within the territory of another state raise questions under international law, particularly regarding the prohibition on the unlawful use of force.
It referred to Article 2(1) of the United Nations Charter, which affirms the sovereign equality of states, and Article 2(4), which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.
The organisation also referred to international humanitarian law principles requiring parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives.
It said the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack were fundamental protections for civilian populations.
The NSO called on the Government of India to immediately and transparently investigate the reported incident and ensure that those responsible for unlawful conduct are held accountable under applicable Indian law and international legal obligations.
It also urged the Indian armed forces to exercise the highest degree of restraint and ensure that military operations do not endanger civilian communities across an international border.
The organisation called on the Myanmar government not to remain silent or passive over what it described as repeated attacks against civilians within Myanmar’s territory.
It said Myanmar has a responsibility to protect civilians, investigate reported violations, safeguard affected communities and raise such incidents through appropriate national, diplomatic and international channels.
The NSO further called on the United Nations, international human rights organisations, humanitarian agencies and other relevant international bodies to take note of the reported incidents.
It sought an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into reported drone attacks affecting civilian communities in the Naga inhabited areas of Myanmar.
The organisation said civilians affected by the attacks, including the injured child and other victims of repeated drone attacks, deserved justice, accountability and protection.
The NSO also urged Naga people to remain united and peaceful in the face of what it described as continuing insecurity and uncertainty.
It said division could leave vulnerable communities more exposed and stressed the importance of unity, solidarity and peaceful cooperation in protecting people and preserving collective rights and dignity.