Guwahati: Normal life was disrupted in parts of Nagaland as Tribal bodies observed bandh in five districts of the state on Thursday over the recent killings of 14 civilians by security forces.
Members of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), the apex tribal organisation, organised demonstrations in Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, and Noklak districts, and the Konyak Union, which represents the Konyak Naga tribe, held protest rallies in Mon during the closure.
Altogether 14 people were killed in three distinct instances of security forces fire in Mon district on the 4th and 5th of December, the first of which was alleged to be a case of mistaken identity.
According to speech of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha, the army had received data about insurgent activities in Mon, and the '21 Para Commando' squad had prepared an ambush. He expressed remorse for civilian casualties and said security officers were acting in self-defense.
Several political groups, on the other hand, rejected the government's account that the automobile was ordered to stop. The tribal councils have warned that until the concerns are handled, they would increase their protests.
The Konyak Union has also demanded an apology from Shah for his statements in Parliament that the security agents were acting in self-defense.
The 14 civilians' relatives had also refused to accept government compensation unless the servicemen responsible in the shooting were "brought to justice."
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