Nagaland Firing: Victims’ Families Refuse Compensation until Justice prevails

The villagers of Oting in Mon district of Nagaland and families of the 14 people who were killed in the shootings by security forces refused to grant any compensation until the personnel involved are brought to justice.

The Oting Village Council of Nagaland in a statement said, "On December 5, when the locals were busy with funeral arrangements and other works in the aftermath of the killings, Rs. 18.30 lakh was given by state minister P Paiwang Konyak and the district deputy commissioner. At first we assumed it to be a token of love and gift from the minister but later learnt it was an installment of the ex-gratia from the Nagaland government for the families of those killed and injured."

"The Oting Village Council and victim families will not receive it until and unless the culprit of 21st Para Commandos of the Indian Armed Force are brought to justice before the Civil code of law and repeal of Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the entire North Eastern region," the statement said.

The statement, issued on Sunday, was signed by Village Council chairman Longwang Konyak, Angh ('king') Tahwang, Deputy Angh Chingwang and Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of Mongnei and Nyanei. At least 14 civilians and a soldier were killed in a botched anti-insurgency operation and retaliatory violence over December 4-5 in the district, as per police, as reported by IANS.

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