On Sunday, a protester in India’s Mon district was killed during demonstrations against the accidental killing of 13 civilians during a “botched” operation by the armed forces in Nagaland on the weekend. According to a state government official, security forces were forced to retaliate because the protesters were engaging in vandalism and destroying public property.
A day earlier, six coal-mine workers were killed by security forces after they were mistaken for militants. Subsequently, police and government officials were deployed to the area and strict prohibitory orders were imposed in the region. Mobile internet and SMS services were also restricted in the district over the “apprehension of grave law and order problems.” While the internet and mobile services were resumed on Sunday, tensions continue to rise.
Locals protested against the incident on Saturday evening, following which clashes with security forces resulted in the death of seven more civilians. According to The Hindu, on Sunday, a mob of 500 men entered and vandalised the Assam Rifles camp. This led to clashes between the protesters and security forces, resulting in further deaths and injuries. The death toll of the incident and subsequent clashes with security forces has risen to 14 civilians and one soldier.
In response to the outcry over the violent attack, the Spear Corps of the Indian Army released a statement condemning the incident. It said, “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.” The statement mentioned that one soldier had been killed and that 11 civilians were injured. However, the army said the operation was carried out “based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents.”
In response, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, which currently governs the state, said, “At a time when the Indo-Naga issue is nearing a conclusion, such a random and dastardly act by the security forces is unimaginable and unfathomable.” They urged authorities to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which they argue allows security forces to operate with impunity in the area, and said the latest incident demonstrates how the law can be exploited.
Honang Konyak, the Vice President of the Konyak Union, which represents the Konyak Tribe that accounts for the majority of people in the Mon district, said, “The people are very angry,” lamenting that those who are meant to act as “guardians” had taken innocent lives.
Nagaland has seen decades of armed rebellion against the Indian Army, which continues to maintain an active presence in the region. Negotiations between the Indian government and armed groups produced a ceasefire agreement in 2015 and brought in a sense of relative calm.
The main challenge to security in the region is the Yung Aung arm of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), a proscribed outfit that is said to operate from Myanmar. Unlike other factions of the NSCN, the Yung Aung continues to demand independence from India, with a separate flag and constitution, and has opposed the ceasefire agreement. The other factions, however, remain in conversation with the Indian government to finally end the decades-long conflict in the region. In this respect, the latest incident in the Mon district is likely to complicate these continued peacemaking efforts and embolden the Yung Aung.