Security forces in Nagaland are up against a new challenge with the NSCN(K) being accused of using civilians as “human shields”.
“The NSCN(K) repeatedly firing from civilian-populated areas is a matter of serious concern for us. They have abrogated ceasefire and carried out numerous attacks on security forces.
We have gone after them. Now they are using villagers as human shields and trying to create a situation where if any civilian gets shot in the crossfire an issue can be made out of it,” a senior Indian Army officer involved in counter insurgency operations in Nagaland told Deccan Herald.
On September 2, the NSCN(K) had reportedly fired upon Assam Rifles troopers at Chukitong village in the Wokha district of Nagaland, bordering Assam, from three different directions from civilian areas of the village.
Army sources said the Assam Rifles also retaliated, but “exercised utmost restraint”.
Forces criticised
The Assam Rifles and the Army had been criticised by the Naga civil society as at least three civilians were killed last week when security forces encountered a group of NSCN-K cadres at Pangsha in Tuensang district bordering Myanmar.
“The NSCN(K) is extensively using the tactics of firing from civilian areas and using the civilian population as human shields. Their intention is to hide among the civilian population, quickly fire bullets and run away from the area. They expect the security forces to retaliate with firepower and cause casualties to the civilian population,” the senior Army officer added.
Meanwhile, military intelligence sources based at 2 Corp near Dimapur have revealed that they have intercepted some alarming radio messages from NSCN(K) military advisor self styled Lt Col Niki Sumi. In one intercept he had ordered his overground collaborators to extensively recruit school students into the groups. He also asked his cadres to launch frequent attacks on security forces only inside Nagaland, sources added.
