Kohima: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has strongly condemned the alleged drone attack reportedly carried out by the Indian Army in Khammoi (Khenmoi-Loiyi), a Naga village under the East Konyak Region in Myanmar, on the evening of October 20. The attack allegedly claimed the lives of two civilians and injured four others.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NBCC also expressed concern over the earlier assault on the 4th Assam Rifles check post at Hahman village near Manmao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh on October 16. The NSCN/GPRN (Yung Aung) group had claimed responsibility for that incident.
“NBCC is deeply disturbed by the attack made on the 4th Assam Rifles check post at Hahman village on October 16 and the subsequent drone attack by the Indian Army in Khammoi village on October 20,” the council stated.
The church body said it was appalled by the killing of a seven-year-old girl, Phiphot Wangsa, and a 27-year-old student leader, Khampei Wangsa, during the alleged drone strike. It added that four others were critically injured in what it termed a “brutal attack,” describing it as a reminder of the traumatic experiences faced by the Naga people at the hands of Indian armed forces since the 1950s.
Condemning both the attacks, NBCC reiterated its stand against bloodshed and violence in any form. “NBCC abhors bloodshed and does not support violence in any form. We urge all Naga national groups to abandon violent means and instead engage in democratic processes to assert the Naga struggle and the historical legitimacy of the people,” the statement read.
The council further urged the Government of India to ensure that military actions leading to civilian casualties are not tolerated. “Military crimes cannot and should not be allowed by the Government of India. The country must not lose sight of its democratic vision and moral foundation,” it said.
Extending its condolences, the council expressed solidarity with the affected families and the people of Khammoi village. “We fully extend our prayers and support to the people of Khammoi (Khenmoi-Loiyi) village and the Eastern Konyak Region during this most challenging time,” it added.
