Imlisanen Jamir
The investigation into the December 2021 killing of civilians in Mon by security forces reached a significant point with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) filing a chargesheet against 30 members of the 21 Para (SF), who took part in the covert counter-insurgency operation.
How the SIT report and the chargesheet is acted on by the concerned authorities will play an important role in determining the Naga peoples’ reconciliation with parts of the Indian state that have long been held as tools of intimidation and oppression.
We talk a lot about reconciliation amongst the Nagas, something that is yet to fully materialize. As important as that is to move forward in this peoples’ journey, it is also vital to come to terms with the realities of the historical wrongs that have been inflicted on the Naga people. The same process will also call for the Naga people to recognise the sufferings of the families of individual soldiers whose lives were lost on Naga soil.
A surface level look at the present condition of the Nagas may paint an image of a people who are moving on from their historical wounds and making their mark in the modern world. The event of December 4, 2021 however showed that beneath this veneer still lies festering resentment against the decades of militarization and the memories of victims who have been deprived of justice.
In a press conference on June 11, the Nagaland Director General Police (DGP) quoting the SIT report stated that the operation was conducted by the Alpha Team of the 21 Para (SF), who did not follow the Standard Operating Procedure and the (military) Rules of Engagement.
The DGP informed said that the operation was launched on December 3 by a team of 31 commandos led by a Major, based on intelligence input about the presence of NSCN K-YA and ULFA cadres in the Oting-Tiru area. The botched ambush was laid at Longkhao between Upper Tiru and Oting Village on December 4, around 4:20 pm. A white Bolero pickup, carrying 8 civilians belonging to Oting village, was fired upon “without ensuring positive identification and failing to carry out challenging procedure.”
“Investigation has revealed that the Op team had not followed the Standard Operating Procedure and the Rules of Engagement and resorted to indiscriminate and disproportionate firing leading to immediate killing of the six occupants of the vehicle on the spot and grievously injuring 2 persons,” the SIT report said.
The charge was filed at the District and Sessions Court, Mon on May 30. According to the DGP, 30 soldiers (1 Major, 2 Subedars, 8 Hav/THM, 4 Nk, 6 L/Nk and 9 Paratroopers) of the 21 Para (SF) were named in the charge-sheet. It was preceded by the SIT forwarding a letter to the Department of Military Affairs in early April seeking prosecution sanction. He added that a “reminder” letter followed in May and “the sanction for prosecution is still awaited.”
The civil court as well as the Army now have the onus on them. These institutions must realise how this case has substantial bearing on the fragile relationship between the Naga populace and the security apparatus of the Indian state. If not, whatever, if any, progress was made to heal wounds will be lost.
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