Nagaland 'Ambush' Update: 15 civilians succumb; army promises 'appropriate action'

KOHIMA: Sources have informed this publication that at least 15 Naga civilians were killed during an "ambush" by Assam Rifles personnel in eastern Nagaland's Mon district. At the same time, 4 soldiers have incurred severe injuries while one soldier has succumbed. Injured personnel have been shifted to the Dinjan hospital.

Meanwhile, Sumit K Sharma, the PRO (Defense) in Kohima, has expressed regret over the incident and said that "the cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate course of action will be taken as per the course of the law."

Sharma also informed that following a tip-off about possible movement of insurgents, they had laid an ambush near Oting village on Saturday afternoon.

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

Soldiers opened fire on a vehicle on the Tiru-Oting road, which was carrying villagers, police sources said. Six villagers died when the forces opened fire, two died later while being taken to the hospital, sources said..

Soon after, angry locals surrounded the security forces. Police sources said five villagers were killed and six were injured as the forces opened fire at the mob in "self defense". Three vehicles of the security forces were also set on fire.

Meanwhile, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who was in Delhi, is on his way back to his state and is likely to hold a cabinet meeting to discuss the issue.

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