They were about to act against the rebels, but they shoot miners and ordinary villagers: the Indian Army’s fault leads to violent protests in the north-east of the country.

According to media reports, at least 15 civilians and a soldier were killed during an unsuccessful operation by the army against suspected insurgents in India’s far north-east. Media quoted local politicians as saying that soldiers ambushed rebels in Mon in Nagaland state on Saturday evening, but accidentally opened fire on a pickup truck with miners. Six miners were killed in the process.

Angry villagers then torched two army vehicles and attacked the soldiers. When he fired at the crowd in “self-defence”, seven others were killed, broadcaster NDTV reported. A soldier also died in this collision.

India’s Interior Minister Amid Shah ordered an inquiry and on Sunday offered condolences to the families concerned. The Indian Army also issued a statement expressing regret. Nagaland government chief Neiphiu Rio described the incident as “highly condemnable”.

attack on army camp

There were more violent demonstrations on Sunday. News channel NorthEast Now reported that two people were killed after a mob attacked and set fire to an army camp in Som. Others were injured. Initially there was no official confirmation of this.

In Nagaland, near the Myanmar border, insurgent groups have been fighting the government in New Delhi for several years, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang). Underground fighters often retreat from across the border after attacks. There are other separatist, leftist and tribal groups as well. Over the past two decades, these conflicts have killed more than 15,000 people.