Mizoram CM Zoramthanga has appealed for justice and restoration of peace in Nagaland following the brutal gunning down of civilians by security forces in the state.
The Mizoram chief minister said that he stands with the people of Nagaland in this time of grief.
“Let justice prevails and may peace be restored soon,” Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga said.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga has extended solidarity to the people of Nagaland in the wake of the firing incident that took place in Nagaland’s Mon district on December 4 in which 14 civilians were killed by security forces.
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“Prayers for the lives lost and the unfortunate incident at Oting, Mon district, Nagaland. I stand with the people of Nagaland in this time of grief,” he said.
At least six civilians were killed in a botched ambush reportedly perpetrated by 21 Para special force personnel based in Assam on December 4 near Oting village at an Indo-Myanmar border district in Nagaland.
Police preliminary report said that the firing incident occurred at 4:10 pm on Saturday when eight coal miners of Oting village were returning home in an open Mahindra pick-up truck from their workplace in Tiru valley.
Six died on the spot while two others were seriously injured, the police report said.
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The villagers on hearing the gunshots went to the spot and clashed with security personnel when they were trying to hide the bodies of the six villagers by wrapping and loading them in a Tata Mobile truck apparently with the intention of taking the bodies to their base camp, the report said.
In the melee, the troops again opened fire at the protesting villagers, which led to the death of seven more civilians, it said.
One security personnel died in the clash.
Altogether, 13 civilians were killed on that day, 14 civilians [were] seriously injured and eight civilians sustained minor injuries, the report further stated.
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On December 5, the irate mob stormed Assam Rifles base in Mon town and set fire to three buildings at the Assam Rifles camp.
One more civilian died when security forces opened fire to disperse the protesters, taking the death toll to 15 (14 civilians and 1 security force personnel).
Meanwhile, the security forces in a statement on December 5 claimed that they had planned a ‘specific operation’ in the area of Tiru based on ‘credible intelligence’ about the likely movement of insurgents in the area.
The security forces also expressed regret for the incident and stated that it is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per law.