The Longwa Yen Citizens Forum (LYCF) has condemned the brutal and inhuman drone attack on civilians at Khammoi village, a community under the Chieftainship of Longwa.
In a condemnation note issued on October 24, the Forum also appealed certain media outlets to exercise caution and meticulously verify facts on sensitive issues.
It also drew attention to the shared heritage of Longwa and Khammoi villages where the people of Khammoi trace their ancestry, customs, and chieftainship (Anghship) to Longwa despite being separated by borders. Upholding the same traditions, langauge and a shared history, the LYCF noted, Khammoi is not merely a village across a border, but an inseparable part of Longwa’s heritage.
On October 20, the Indian Armed Forces had carried out a drone attack at Khammoi village (inhabited by Eastern Konyak people under Myanmar) which claimed the lives of seven-year-old Phiphot Wangsa, a student, and a 27-year-old Khampei Wangsa, Joint Secretary of the Khammoi Students’ Union. Additionally, four others were critically injured.
“Any harm inflicted upon Khammoi or any village under the chieftainship of Longwa is harm inflicted upon Longwa in particular and Nagas in general – for we are one people, divided geographically not by choice but by forces beyond our control. The Forum condemns this act as deliberate, unlawful, and wholly unjustifiable. The perpetrators have not only flagrantly violated humanitarian rights and international laws but have also created an atmosphere of panic and insecurity among peace-loving citizens, instilling a pervasive fear of when the next attack might occur,” asserted the Forum.
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It also recalled past atrocities by the Indian Armed Forces, raising serious concerns about whether the Armed Forces are acting as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
In this regard, the Longwa Yen Citizens Forum urged the Government of Nagaland, responsible citizens, and concerned organizations to publicly condemn the senseless and barbaric act and to join hands in restoring peace and safeguarding Naga soil by taking all necessary measures.
“The Forum further appeals to certain media outlets, including news channels and other platforms, to exercise caution and meticulously verify facts on sensitive issues, as some reports regarding the Khammoi drone attack have been misleading. We clarify that no NSCN-K (YA) designated camps were targeted on 20th October; instead, a civilian residential area was attacked, resulting in tragic civilian casualties,” stressed the Forum.
In solidarity, it expressed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.
