Nagaland Ambush: NSF Calls for Bandh, 5 Days Mourning

KOHIMA-  The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for a 6-hour bandh across Naga-inhabited regions, in protest against the killing of 13 civilian in an ambush in Mon district.  The federation also appealed Naga residents to avoid any sort of festivities, and observe a 5-days mourning, with effect from today.

On the other hand the Nagaland government has assigned  a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the ambush that killed several civilians in Nagaland. A murder case has also been filed in the incident, NDTV reported.

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The additional director general of police in Nagaland, Sandeep M Tamgadge stated that the SIT team has been asked to probe the case within a month, Al Jazeera reported.

At least 13 villagers in Nagaland lost their lives while travelling to Oting after a counter-insurgency operation went awry. severals others had been njured.

In the aftermath of the attack, The situation continued to be tense in Mon district of Nagaland on Sunday after locals have retaliated with violent protests against the killing of 13 civilians by security forces on saturday.

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Consequently, Nagaland administration implemented prohibitory orders, with Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) being imposed in Mon town in light of the tensions.

The government also reportedly banned mobile internet and SMS services in the entire district.

Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) called for a six-hour total shutdown across regions inhabited by Nagas in light of the killings. The shutdown will be in effect from 6 am to 12 noon on Monday.

Issued by its President Kegwayhun Tep and General Secretary Süpuni N Philo, the federation also called for a halt in all merrymaking for the following five days. The NSF also urged citizens to refrain from participating in the Hornbill festival.

On Saturday evening, security forces  had ambushed a vehicle in at Oting Village in Mon district, killing six labourers returning to their village from a coal mine in the Tiru area.

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After the ambush, local residents set vehicles of the security forces on fire. As the soldiers tried to flee, they shot down more civilians, alleged locals.

The 3 Corps of the Indian Army issued a statement on Sunday morning that an operation in Tiru area of Mon district had been planned, based on “credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents”.

“The incident and its aftermath is deeply regretted,” it added. “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.”

One soldier also died in the operation and the security forces have suffered severe injuries, the Army said. The Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the killings.