Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the killing of civilians between Oting and Tiru villages in Mon district on Sunday, where at least six people were killed and two others were injured. The encounter will be investigated by a high-level SIT, and justice will be served according to the law of the land. On Sunday, the chief minister tweeted, “Appeal for peace from all sections.”
The incident occurred near Myanmar’s border.
Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, expressed his condolences to the families of those who had died. “Anguished over an unfortunate incident in Nagaland’s Oting, Mon. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families,” the home minister tweeted.
Daily wagers who were heading back from Tiru in a pick-up truck that allegedly came under fire from army personnel engaged in an anti-terror operation are among the casualties, according to reports. The army reportedly launched an operation after receiving information about the movement of a faction of the NSCN (K), which resulted in an encounter, with the lorry carrying the daily wagers caught in the middle. After the deaths of the civilians, villagers began to protest, causing unrest in the area. According to reports, agitated villagers set fire to some security vehicles, forcing the police to fire to bring the mob under control.
Issuing a statement on the incident, the HQ 3 Corps said, “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. 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. The security forces have suffered severe injuries in the incident including one soldier who succumbed to the injuries,” the statement added.
