Tension flared up in Nagaland on Sunday
after 13 civilians were killed and 11 others were injured in two separate incidents of firing by the security forces in the Mon district, which shares a porous international border with Myanmar. The Indian Army said one of its personnel was killed.

The incidents happened while the state is
celebrating Hornbill, the biggest music festival in the North East.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi says killing civilians in Nagaland is ‘heart-wrenching’

It is also being investigated if the incident
was a case of mistaken identity. Here is what we know in the incident so far.

Where did the incident happen?

The incident took place between Oting and
Tiru villages when some daily-wage labourers were returning home in a pick-up
van from a coal mine on Saturday evening.

The vehicle was allegedly fired upon by
army personnel, who were conducting an operation in the area after receiving
intelligence inputs on the movement of militants of the Yung Aung faction of
proscribed outfit NSCN (K).

As workers failed to reach their homes, local youth and villagers went in search of them and surrounded the army vehicles. In the ensuing melee one soldier was killed and army vehicles burnt down. Soldiers who fired in self-defence killed another seven civilians, PTI quoted police officials as saying.

Army
orders inquiry

The army has ordered a Court of Inquiry
into the killings of civilians.

“The incident and its aftermath are
deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being
investigated by a Court of Inquiry at the highest level and appropriate action
will be taken as per the course of law,” it said in a statement.

Army officials added that the operation was
carried out based on credible intelligence inputs about the likely movement of
insurgents in the area. The Army confirmed on Sunday morning that one of its
personnel was killed and several others were injured in the incident and that
the loss of lives is being investigated.

CM Rio condemns the killing

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has
condemned the incident and launched an investigation.

Terming the incident as
“unfortunate” in a tweet, he said that the killings of civilians at
Oting and Mon is highly condemnable.

He appealed to people from all sections to maintain peace.
Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured.
High-level SIT will investigate & justice delivered as per the law of the
land. Appeal for peace from all sections,” he further added in this tweet.

Also Read: SIT to probe killing of civilians in Nagaland

Home Minister Amit Shah said,
“Anguished over unfortunate incident in Nagaland’s Oting, Mon. A
high-level SIT will thoroughly probe this incident.”

Meanwhile, PTI reported that Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen MM Naravane have been apprised about
the incident.