Protests in Kohima seeking justice for 14 civilians killed by armed forces

Protests over the killing of 14 civilians
in Nagaland’s border district of Mon by Indian armed forces have now spread to
the state capital of Kohima. The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has organised
a massive rally in the city, which has seen thousands hitting the streets
seeking justice for the villagers who were killed in the ambush by the armed
forces. People also sought repeal of the controversial AFSPA, or Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act. It was the third day of the protest.

Also Read: Bandh over killing of civilians disrupts normal life in five Nagaland districts

According to NDTV, protesters marched on
holding banners and placards that read “how many times must bullets be
fired before repealing AFSPA”, “AFSPA rears devil in the Indian
armies” and “ban AFSPA, not our voice”. It was the

What began as a ‘non-cooperation movement’
by the Konyak Union (the Konyak Naga tribe’s top body) in Mon spread Wednesday,
with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation taking up the fight in the
state capital.

Also Read: AFSPA not solution to Naga problem, political will is, says 100-year-old club

The ENPO, like the Konyak Union, resolved
to “abstain from any national celebrations”, promised
“non-participation in Army civic programmes” and said it would not
allow recruitment drives in the area.

Apart from Mon district and Kohima,
protests were also reported in Kiphire, Tuensang, Noklak, and Longleng
districts in the eastern part of the state, where shops were shuttered and
angry residents flooded streets.

Also Read: Nagaland firing: Tribal bodies ask people not to cooperate with army

The three-day protests have already seen
the immediate arrest of the soldiers involved in the killing of the coalfield
labourers. They have also demanded Home Minister Amit Shah withdraw a “false”
and “fabricated” statement given in Parliament on December 6.

Shah had said the Army unit opened fire
because the truck carrying the villagers accelerated when ordered to stop. The
soldiers, suspecting insurgent activity, opened fire, he said. The comments
triggered more furious protests in Mon, where people burned effigies of Shah.