India mourns killings civilians by security forces

The killing of civilians by security forces in Nagaland state in Northeastern India has evoked widespread condemnation from several sections of society, including Church groups, students, and human rights activists across the country.

In a village in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh,  the concluding event of the Year of St. Joseph and the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8 was marked by a condolence prayer service for civilians killed in army firing in neighbouring Nagaland state.

Youth, elders, women and children of the Tangsa tribe came together in Neotanl village to pray for the 14 civilians killed on December 4 in Oting village of Nagaland's Mon district.

The condolence prayer service, which began from the Mother Mary Grotto in the village, was attended by people from all religions. Holding placards appealing for peace, the villagers concluded the prayer service by planting candles on the crossroad leading to the church.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao who led the service, said, "We are very saddened to know about the death of civilians in Mon district. The death of innocent people is always very sorrowful. We offer our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the departed and we pray that the Almighty God blesses them with eternal rest."

Six civilians, workers in a coal mine, were killed in an ambush by security forces in an area between Tiru and Oring village in Mon district. They were returning home in a vehicle. The incident triggered violence in the area in which eight more civilians were killed after security forces opened fire.

On December 9, The Indian Catholic Women Movement, an ecumenical forum, in a statement, expressed "deep distress and anguish" at the killing of civilians in a messed-up counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland.

"The killing of innocent lives calls for a just probe into the matter to identify why and how the operation went wrong. It is important to end the ambush mentality of armed forces to restore a sense of safety and security to the people of Nagaland," the statement said.

"We, the members of the Indian Christian Women's Movement, strongly recommend and reiterate the demand made by many concerned citizens, civil society organizations and the Nagaland Government for the repeal of AFSPA, the draconian law that grants security forces sweeping powers as well as impunity. We call upon the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to take strict and firm action against the perpetrators who killed innocent civilians without any provocation."

The incident has led to fresh demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in "disturbed areas."

The incident sent shock waves across northeastern India and condemnation poured in from all quarters. Several Catholic leaders expressed their concern and sadness over the incident.

"It is sad that innocent people are killed by the security personnel who are there to protect them," said Father Felix Anthony, a human rights activist in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland's northern neighbouring state.

Allen Brooks, spokesperson of Northeast Peace Forum, narrated the "bizarre" incident where "innocent labourers lost their lives while returning home to Oting village for the weekend from a coal mine in Tiru."

"While the Army claims that they had specific intelligence information on the underground movement, they are at crossroads to explain the unfortunate shooting leading to innocent civilians dying," Brooks said.

"With Christmas just around the corner, this incident has dampened the spirits of everyone as the state moans this terrible loss of human life," he added.

The Catholic Association of Nagaland expressed their  shock at the "inhuman act" committed by the security forces.

"The Catholic community, under the aegis of the Catholic Association of Nagaland, denounces the evil act committed against innocent people," a statement from the association said. It further said that if any nation or government permits "such evil act," it is "the sin unto death."

The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India said it was "deeply saddened to hear the death of civilians" in the Mon district. "Our hearts go to the bereaved families in particular to our Konyak brothers and sisters," says Revered Akheto Sema, the council's general secretary, in a message.

The Muslim Council at Dimapurcondemned "the inhuman incident" and expressed concern over AFSPA and its misuse. It urged the Government of India to repeal of the law.

Others who condemned "the brutal killing of innocent people" include Dimapur Gorkha Union, Chakhesang Public Organization, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, Khasi Students Union, Dimapur Naga Students Union, Human Rights Commission India International, and Sumi Hoho.