Konyak Union declares ‘Black Day’, non co-operation to Indian security forces

Dimapur, Dec. 6 (EMN): The Konyak Union (KU) on Monday declared seven days of mourning and to observe December 4 and the 5th as “Black Day” every year after 14 civilians were killed by the India security forces in Mon district over the two days.

Terming the firing incident as “the worst premeditated carnage of the modern times and in the history of the Konyak tribe”, the union stated that one more innocent person was killed during agitation on December 5, a day after 13 villagers were shot dead and more than a dozen injured.

“A group of 14 poor, innocent civilians lost their precious lives at the hands of the Indian military forces. The deceased were purely villagers with no connection to any elements that may cause the slightest concern to the Paramilitary forces or to the national security of India in any respect,” read the press release.

While condemning the barbaric act, the KU demanded immediate probe into the incident and book the culprits, saying that “no explanation can justify the heinous act”.

The Konyaks also declared non co-operation to the Indian military forces for defying the declaration of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation made on December 18, 2007, not to allow bloodshed in its area.

It stated that seven days of “public mourning” will be observed in the entire district of Mon and no movement of military forces or patrolling parties will be allowed during these days. It added that the security forces would be responsible if untoward incidents arise out of failure to abide by the union’s decision.

The KU stated that the incident cannot be termed as a case of mistaken identity and demanded the President of India to intervene for remedial action and logical conclusion.

It demanded the President of India to take the following steps at the earliest:

* Investigation: Independent inquiry under competent investigating agency to be immediately set up and two members from ENPO are inducted in the special investigating team (SIT).

* Execution of Law through Judicial System: To identify all military forces or army personnel involved in the incident, book and punish under applicable civil court.

* Deliverance of Justice: Action taken against those erring official  at Oting killings be put into public domain within 30 days.

* Vacate 27 Assam Rifles from Konyak soil: 27 Assam Rifles must immediately vacate Mon district on moral ground for failing to provide security to its citizen whereby the military forces from other state had intruded and committed the Oting killing on December 4.

* Repeal AFSPA: To immediately repeal AFSPA from the entire north-eastern region.