In a series of violent clashes in Nagaland's Mon district on Saturday, 13 civilians and an Assam Rifles trooper were killed during an army operation which intended to target Naga insurgents but went wrong, according to officials, it also said that there were 14 more casualties other than the ones killed. The Naga police is yet to share the details of the dreadful incident and use of social media was also restricted by the Nagaland Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha in the Mon district to reduce the spreading of rumours, fake news, and for circulating inflammatory texts, pictures, videos, which can infuriate the mob further. A high-level probe by Special Investigation Team has been ordered by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Army operation on Naga insurgents gone wrong | Key points
1. Local media reports claim that 14 civilians were killed and 11 were injured in the Naga firing, whereas, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah has claimed that a total of 15 civilians were killed.
2. Naga organisations leaders including Konyak Hoho and Oting Village Students' Union (OVSU), claimed that the security forces fired on the eight coal miners who were returning from Tiru coal mining area in a van due to mistaken identity. In the firing, six people were killed on the spot and the other two injured civilians were taken to the hospital by the Assam Rifles.
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3. As the news of the incident reached the public, an angry mob rushed to the spot to attack the army. The Assam Rifles personnel shot fire at the mob in self-defence, which resulted in the death of seven more civilians and injured 12 others. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. An Assam riffle officer was also killed after this incident.
4. Agitated villagers continued to attack the army on Sunday as well and at least three government vehicles were set on fire. Defence forces have also suffered severe injuries according to sources of news agency IANS.
5. "The incident and its aftermath is deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law," Army told IANS.
