Nagaland: 13 coal miners killed in alleged armed forces ‘ambush’

KOHIMA: Thirteen civilians were killed by the security forces on Saturday evening in an “ambush” in Nagaland’s Mon district.

Several villagers were killed on Sunday in a case of "mistaken identity" in Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland that borders Myanmar after a counter-insurgency operation went awry.

A security force jawan was also killed in the incident.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that a high-level Special Investigative Team will probe it.

Informing the same, CM Rio tweeted, “The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable.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.”

The personnel, said to be para commandos, reportedly mistook the victims as militants and ambushed them.

The incident took when the victims were returning home from a coal mine in a pick-up truck. They were daily wagers at the coal mine.

According to officials, least 2 army persons were killed and at least 4 severely injured and were admitted to Dinjan hospital.

Atleast six people had lost their lives on Saturday evening and seven others succumbed to their injuries till Sunday morning.

The bodies were being brought to district headquarters Mon for post-mortem. The situation was said to be tense.

The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) decided to withdraw from the annual Hornbill Festival which is ongoing at Kisama near state capital Kohima.

The ENPO, which represents six tribes, had adopted a resolution earlier against bloodshed in its area.

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