Drone attack in Khammoi village draws widespread condemnation

DIMAPUR — Multiple organisations have condemned the drone attack reportedly carried out by Indian Armed Forces on October 20 at Khammoi (Khenmoi-Loiyi) village in the east Konyak region, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to several others.

NSF: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) denounced the alleged assault, stating that it resulted in the deaths of Khampei Wangsa, joint secretary of the Khammoi Students’ Union, and eight-year-old Phiphot Wangsu, a Grade 1 student of Khammoi Mission School.

It stated that the use of combat drones and explosive payloads in civilian-populated areas amounts to a direct violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Geneva Conventions’ prohibition against targeting civilians and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), among other international laws.

The federation said such actions reflect a disturbing pattern of militarised suppression, weaponised fear and systemic impunity under the cover of domestic legislation such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

The NSF called upon the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to launch an independent, international fact-finding mission and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to issue a situational report on violations occurring under AFSPA.

Also read: Different organisations condemn alleged drone attack in Khammoi village

It stated that the AFSPA continues to provide legal immunity to excesses of force, creating an ecosystem where accountability becomes optional. The federation reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional repeal of AFSPA from the Naga homeland.

As a mark of continued protest against militarisation and state-sponsored violence, the NSF reaffirmed non-cooperation with armed forces across all its federating units and subordinate bodies until AFSPA is repealed.

The NSF also extended condolences to the bereaved families, describing their loss as a collective wound upon the conscience of humanity, and urged all democratic nations, humanitarian organisations and citizens to condemn the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable within international criminal law frameworks.

NBCC: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) expressed deep concern over the attack at Khammoi village on October 20 and the earlier attack on the 4th Assam Rifles check post at Hahman village near Manmao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh on October 16, where the NSCN/GPRN (Yung Aung group) had claimed responsibility.

The NBCC condemned both incidents and called on all parties to respect and value human lives, which is created in the image of God. It reiterated its opposition to bloodshed and violence in any form, appealing to all Naga national groups to abandon violence and engage in democratic means and processes to assert the Naga struggle and the historical legitimacy of the people.

It condemned the killing of the two civilians and noted that such acts of impunity by the Indian Armed Forces bring back traumatic experiences suffered by Nagas since the 1950s and expressed concern over the growing unrest and fear.

The NBCC urged the government of India not to allow military crimes and reminded it of the democratic principles enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution.

Extending its prayers and condolences to the families and the people of Khammoi village and the eastern Konyak region, the NBCC cited Proverbs 24:11–12: “Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die... And he will judge all people according to what they have done.”

TUN: The Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) also condemned the drone attack on the Naga village of Khammoi on October 20, terming it an act by Indian Security Forces against “Myanmar-occupied Nagaland (East Konyak region)”.

The union conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and solidarity to all affected civilians. It described the attack as a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, reflecting “the ongoing illegal occupation of Naga territories by India and Myanmar”.

The Tenyimi Union Nagaland appealed to global organisations, including the United Nations, UN Human Rights Council, and International Criminal Court, to investigate the incident and ensure accountability from “the occupying Indian forces”.

It also called upon all Nagas, within occupied territories and the diaspora, to remain united in condemnation, humanitarian support, and solidarity with the victims and their community.

EKSUM: The Eastern Konyak Students’ Union (Myanmar) (EKSUM) in a statement condemned the “inhuman activities” by the Indian Armed Force and declared solidarity with the Eastern Konyak Union, the Khammoi Village Council, and the Khammoi Students’ Union.

It appealed to Indian authorities to ensure justice for the students who were “mercilessly killed”.

The union further stated that villagers reported drone bombardments that caused explosions and the release of poisonous gas, which severely affected the entire settlement. It called upon human rights agencies to intervene and deliver justice for what it termed a “terrorising act” against civilians in an underdeveloped region.

EKSUM urged the government of India to halt attacks using sophisticated weapons on civilian villages. The union claimed that, as per reports received from the president of the Khammoi Students’ Union, Khampei Ranwang, drones were launched without warning from the Khonsa area and dropped directly onto the village, causing widespread panic and destruction.

EKSUM appealed to civil society organisations and student bodies to join in condemning the alleged attack and urged Indian security forces to differentiate between civilian areas and insurgent locations.

The statement further questioned whether dropping drones in public areas by a national army is lawful, calling on the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and Nagas Without Borders to voice their concerns. It reminded that India is a member of the United Nations and a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

EKSUM also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for comfort and healing for those injured.