By Matters India Reporter

New Delhi, Dec 9, 2021: The Indian Catholic Women Movement, an ecumenical forum, has expressed “deep distress and anguish” at the killing of civilians in a messed-up counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland.

“The killing of innocent lives calls for a just probe into the matter, in order to identify why and how the operation went wrong. It is important to end the ambush mentality of armed forces to restore a sense of safety and security to the people of Nagaland,” says a statement from the movement issued on December 9.

The text of the statement:

We the members of ICWM express our deep distress and anger at the killing of unarmed civilians and a soldier in the messed-up counter insurgency operation by the Assam Rifles in the Mon District of Nagaland on 5 December 2021.

The Mon incident needs to be seen against the backdrop of the patiently crafted ceasefire in place and peace negotiations backed by almost all Naga groups, amidst the high tension in the region. In this situation, that calls for joint vigilance and action by political leadership, security forces and civil society, extra caution and sensitivity is needed on the part of security forces towards local communities. In this highly volatile context, the state machinery needs to act with great prudence and care towards civilians so that trust can be re-built and peace restored.

In light of these developments, besides ensuring justice for the victims and their families, it is imperative that political leaders address the breach of trust between the local communities and state agencies.

We the members of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement strongly recommend and reiterate the demand made by many concerned citizens, civil society organizations and the Nagaland Government for the repeal of AFSPA, the draconian law that grants security forces sweeping powers as well as impunity. We call upon the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to take strict and firm action against the perpetrators who killed innocent civilians without any provocation.

On behalf of all members of ICWM
ICWM National Team: Dr Aruna Gnanadason, Dr Kochurani Abraham, Dr Lalnghakthuami, Marcia D’Cunha, Sushma Ramswami, Rev Dr Jayachitra Lalitha, Adv Sr Julie George