Kohima, December 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Thousands of protesters hit the streets of Nagaland’s capital Kohima to demand justice for the 14 civilians who were killed by the Indian forces in the state earlier this month. According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest was organised by the Naga Students Federation. The All Assam Students’ Union, the North East Students’ Organisation, tribal groups and civil society organisations in Nagaland also took part in the demonstration.
Photos and videos from the march showed the protestors carrying placards calling for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives sweeping powers to the military to search, arrest, and to open fire with impunity. Demands for scrapping the Act have intensified after the killings of the 14 civilians. Protests have erupted across the state against the deaths.
On the evening of December 4, Indian Army’s 21 Para Special Force had opened fire at a pick-up van carrying coal miners from Tiru to Oting in Nagaland’s Mon district, killing six on board. Angered by the killings, a crowd of protestors then set fire to the vehicles belonging to the Army. The trops opened fire again, killing seven more civilians. The protests spread and locals entered a camp of the Assam Rifles in the district headquarters of Mon. At least one more person was killed after Indian forces fired back at the protesters.
Naga Students’ Federation President Kegwayhun Tep said that the Indian forces had “unleashed terror and fear” in the hearts of Nagaland’s peace-loving citizens. He added that the deaths of the 14 civilians will not go in vain. “We the Naga youths and the upcoming generation shall continue to honour their memories by carrying forward the aspirations of the Naga people through generations to come,” the president of the students’ body added.
The protesters in Kohima marched to the governor’s house to submit a letter listing three demands – justice for the deceased civilians, scrapping of AFSPA and an “inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution for the Naga political problem.
On Thursday, civil society groups and tribal bodies in Nagaland had observed a complete shutdown in five districts to protest against the killings. Last week, the of families the civilians shot dead by the Indian forces had refused to accept compensation from the government until the officers involved in the killings are punished and the AFSPA is repealed.
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