- NET Web Desk
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for a 6-hour total shutdown across Naga-inhabited regions, in protest against the horrific actions of Indian Armed Forces, which led to the death of 13 innocent lives.
Commenced from 6 AM today, the bandh will culminate at 12 PM. Emergency & medical services, weddings (with cards), examinations have been exempted from the purview of the shutdown.
Besides, para-military forces and armed forces have been strictly informed not to make any movements during the concerned period.
It has further appealed Naga residents to avoid any sort of festivities, and observe a 5-days mourning, with effect from today.
As per the move, Naga residents have also been urged to refrain from participating in Hornbill Festival, indicating a symbolic expression of resentment against the government.
Responding to the killings, Assam Rifles on Sunday deeply regretted the horrific incident of incessant firing at Oting Village in Mon district of Nagaland on Saturday, that led to the death of 13 innocent civilians.
Identified as coal-miners, all these civilians were returning back to their home in a van.
According to an official press release issued by the Assam Rifles, Central Government authorities and Indian Armed Forces have already ordered a high-level enquiry for initiating further investigation on the same.
Officials in the security establishment informed that the unfortunate incident was the result of an army operation.
Army personnel have been mistaken the vehicle and civilians as insurgents from the Yung Aung faction of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang).
“Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland” – informed the Assam Rifles and the Army’s Dimapur-based 3rd Corps.
However, authorities said that a large crowd of angry villagers gathered in Mon, attempting to vandalize the Assam Rifles camp.
In a view to refrain the move, the security forces opened fire to disperse the crowd, leading to the death of one more civilian.
After the incident, prohibitory orders have been imposed along Mon, and in the entire district citing “apprehension of grave law and order problems”.
However, the ban was lifted on Sunday evening.
The paramilitary troop through its official press communique, requested the Nagaland residents to “show extreme patience till the investigation is fully completed as already promised by Government authorities.”
