Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio attended the funeral service of the slain civilians. He also said that the Government of Nagaland has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakhs for the families of the deceased
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Mass funeral service of the 14 civilians who were killed in an ambush by the Armed forces on December 4 was held on Monday at the helipad ground, Mon town.
Attended by thousands of people from different walks of life to pay their last respects, it was led by Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, and his Cabinet Ministers, Advisors, MLAs, and several other state officials including deputy chief minister, Y Patton, in paying their respects.
Speaking at the funeral service, Rio said that December 4 and 5 is not only a “black day” for the Eastern Nagas but for all the Naga people.
Stating that their deaths would not go in vain and would not be forgotten, Rio reminded the people about their “supreme sacrifice” and added that one should work in unison to uplift each other to make Nagaland a peaceful state for the younger generation.
“They didn’t sacrifice their lives for the Indian but for the Nagas”, Rio added.
The chief minister while attending the funeral service of the slain Konyak brethren said that the Government of Nagaland has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakhs for the families of the deceased.
He also informed that the central government has also announced compensation of Rs.11 lakh and government jobs for each of the families of the 14 people killed in the December 4 firing incident at Oting-Tizu area, Mon.
Rio assured the people that the components of the joint memorandum submitted by the KU, KNSK and KSU, which falls under the States prerogative would be looked into and for those under the Centre’s, the State
government will work towards it’s fulfillment.
Representatives from Konyak Legislators, ENPO, Konyak Union, KNSK, ENSF, KSU, Village Council of Oting, Jakphang and Chi delivered speeches condemning the incident and the cruel and draconian provisions of
AFSPA. The service was chaired by Vice-President, KSU, Yuwang Konyak. The invocation was pronounced by Pastor KBCM, Rev. Nahngom and the last rites were performed by Executive Secretary, KBBB.
The slain civilians were identified as Ngampho, Langlun, Hokup, Langwang, Thapwang, Shomwang, Mampeih, S khahwang, Thakwang, Sheiwang, Phaokam, Yinjung, and Pepon.
Repeal AFSPA: Terming the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as “draconian law”, Neiphiu has asked the Central government to repeal the Act and demanded for removal of the same.
He said that the world is criticizing the Act and even the Human Rights Commission and the State government are voicing for its removal.
“When there is ceasefire, peace, and no disturbance, why the centre has to keep on extending the AFSPA?” Rio questioned while adding that Naga people have always opposed to it.
AICC delegates to visit Nagaland: A four-member delegation of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) which has been constituted by its president would be visiting Nagaland and report on matters related to the recent incidents of killing of innocent citizens and sequential violence in Mon district, Nagaland.
According to a communiqué issued by AICC general secretary and MP, KC Venugopal, the four members include AICC General Secretary, Jitendra Singh, AICC In-charge, Nagaland, Dr. Ajoy Kumar, MP Gaurav Gogoi, and MP Anto Antony.
It further stated that the delegation would submit a report to the Congress president within a week.
Report on December 5 incidents in Mon Town
Nagaland DGP, T John Longkumer, and Commissioner, Nagaland, Rovilatuo Mor, on Monday has issued its report on the December 5 incidents in Mon town.
According to the report, the Konyak Union on December 5 had announced for a mass funeral service for the 14 deceased civilians at the Helipad, Mon Town, whose mortal remains were brought from Oting village.
However, the programme was postponed to December 6 at 10 a.m but no such clear announcement was made regarding the postponement and this conclusion led to the crowd getting agitated and a section of public started marching towards the District Hospital and Konyak Union (KU) office whereby, they vandalized the KU office thereafter, the agitated crowd proceeded towards the 27 Assam Rifles post located at Thamnan Ward.
The mob then reached the periphery of the Camp and got violent, throwing stones, vandalizing properties and setting fire to three buildings within the post to which the AR personnel resorted to blank firing which agitated the mob further.
The report also stated that the district administration and police officials tried to reason and pacify the mob but was outnumbered by the mob which by then, gathered to around 600 to 700 people armed with sticks, pipes, flammable fluids and few of them had machetes or daos.
After almost an hour into the melee, the second round of continuous firing by the Assam Rifles resulted in the mob running for safety and protection.
It also stated that after the firing ceased, one protester identified as Leong of Chi village was confirmed to be dead on the spot and six others sustained bullet injuries including an IR personnel of 11th IRB, Aboi, who was shifted to District Hospital.
The report further stated that at the time of filing the report, prohibitory orders under CrPc Section 144 was clamped in Mon town to control the situation and the situation continues to be tense and volatile.