The Evening Wrap: 13 civilians killed in alleged armed forces ‘ambush’ in Nagaland

Thirteen civilians were among 14 people killed in an armed forces’ operation against extremists gone wrong in Nagaland’s Mon district on Saturday evening. The Army’s 3 Corps headquartered on the outskirts of the State’s Dimapur town issued a statement on Sunday, owning responsibility for the killing of the civilians and assuring “appropriate action”. The Nagaland Government has ordered a high-level probe into the incident by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon district, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted,” the statement said. “The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” it said, adding that a few soldiers were severely injured and one soldier succumbed to his injuries. According to members of the Konyak Union, representing the dominant Konyak community in the district, some labourers were returning home to Oting village in a pick-up van from a coal mine in Tiru area 15 km away. “The armed forces ambushed their vehicle and killed six on the spot. Seven locals died later. At least 11 others are battling injuries while two are missing,” a union member said. The labourers come home every Saturday from the mine, spend Sunday with their families, and return to work on Monday. This has been a routine for a long time, he said. A local police official said the troops had laid in wait for members of the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang-Yung Aung) but fired at the pick-up van. The incident enraged the locals who attacked the troops and set two of their vehicles on fire. One soldier was killed in this attack during which the troops fired at the locals in self-defence, officials said. An Army officer said there was specific input of movement of NSCN (K-YA) cadres in a vehicle of specific colour and type following which the area was cordoned off. But the civilians came in a similar vehicle and “did not cooperate” when asked to stop. The troops fired at the vehicle instinctively. “Six civilians were killed and two injured,” he said. As the troops waited for the police to arrive, locals gathered and attacked them. The officer claimed a soldier was killed and three others were injured in firing from the crowd. Seven civilians were killed when the troops fired in self-defence, he added. “The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians… is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families and speedy recovery of those injured. High level SIT will investigate and justice delivered as per the law of the land. Appeal for peace from all sections,” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tweeted. Expressing anguish at the incident, Home Minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter expressing condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and assuring justice. Local organisations have demanded action against the guilty personnel and threatened to approach national and international human rights organisations. Members of the victims’ families refused to receive their bodies if justice is not delivered fast. Reacting to the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) announced the withdrawal of six tribes it represents from the annual Hornbill Festival ongoing at Kisama near State capital Kohima. Seven, including 3 who came from Nigeria, test positive for Omicron in Pune Seven persons from Pune district have tested positive for Omicron variant of coronavirus, a health official said on Sunday. They include a woman who came from Nigeria along with her two daughters to meet her brother in adjoining Pimpri Chinchwad area, the official said. Her brother and his two daughters have also tested positive for the variant, he added. Another case is of a man from Pune who returned from Finland in the last week of last month, the official said. The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Maharashtra has gone up to eight, he said. A 33-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Thane district had tested positive for the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The man, a marine engineer, is currently undergoing treatment at a COVID-19 care centre in Kalyan town, located about 50 km from the State capital Mumbai. The resident of Dombivli town had arrived in Delhi from South Africa on November 23 and had then taken a flight to Mumbai. Earlier in the day, Delhi reported its first Omicron case. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said a patient admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, who had returned from Tanzania, had tested positive for the new variant. No Opposition alliance sans Congress possible at national level, says Bhupesh Baghel Days after Mamata Banerjee’s “no UPA” jibe, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday attacked the TMC chief, saying she must clarify whether she wants to make TMC the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties. He also said no Opposition alliance is possible at the national level without the Congress, which has to be the main pillar of the bloc taking on the BJP. In an interview with PTI, Baghel said a decision on who would be the face of the Opposition that would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 general election would be taken collectively by the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is headed by Sonia Gandhi. His remarks come days after West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee took swipes at the Congress leadership and said there is “no UPA”, after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. On Banerjee’s remarks, Baghel said, “I would like to say to Mamata Banerjee that you want to become the main opposition party, it is a very good thing. If you want to move forward with a plan, harbouring a dream, it will be welcomed, but the question is whether you want to become the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties.” Asked if he believes that there is collusion between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, Baghel said Banerjee should clarify, as after meeting Pawar, she said “there is no UPA” but following her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, nothing came out as to what transpired and she later attacked the Congress. “Why has it not come out in the open as to what she discussed with the PM,” he asked. On the TMC entering the poll fray suddenly in some poll-bound states such as Goa, Baghel said it seems that they want to help the BJP in those States. “They don’t have anything in Goa but want to fight. So they want to divide the opposition vote,” he said. Baghel also hit out at poll strategist Prashant Kishor for his remarks that the space represented by the Congress was vital but its leadership is not the “divine right of an individual”, an apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi. “Prashant Kishor works for money, be it for the BJP, Congress, TMC or JD(U), for poll campaigns. He is a professional person, so he should say who he is working for now,” Baghel said. The Chhattisgarh CM said Kishor is not associated with any political party that he will make comments like the ones he did, so he should clarify whether he is working for the BJP or for Mamata Banerjee. “(Narendra) Modi ji, (Amit) Shah ji, talked about Congress-mukt Bharat, they could not do it. Now, has that job been taken over by Prashant Kishor?” he asked. On whether any alliance sans Congress is possible at the national level to take on the BJP, Baghel said as of today it does not seem possible. On whether the Congress would be the main pillar of the Opposition alliance at the national level, the Chattisgarh CM said, “Congress will be (the main pillar), it is a straightforward thing.” “It is the Congress that has a presence from Kashmir to Kerala. Other Opposition parties don’t have that kind of presence,” he said. Asked if Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the Opposition bloc to take on PM Modi in 2024, Baghel said he is “too small a person” to decide on such matters and is not authorised by the party to comment on all such issues. However, he said, “Several parties comprise the UPA whose chairperson is Sonia Gandhi, and all parties will decide on the issue together.” Baghel added that in the whole country, there is only one leader that is taking on the central government and BJP, and that is Rahul Gandhi. He said the BJP is “rattled’’ by Rahul Gandhi, so it is possible that they “may be targeting him through these people (TMC, Kishor and other critics)”. The TMC and the Congress have been growing distant of late, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party poaching the latter’s leaders in several states in the recent past. The two parties have further distanced themselves, with the TMC not attending the opposition meetings convened by the Congress over opposition unity in Parliament. Baghel, who is the Congress’ senior observer for Uttar Pradesh polls, also said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on his way out as “everyone is angry with him and he has no achievements”. On whether the Congress will be the main challenger to the BSP in Uttar Pradesh, Baghel slammed both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to claim that the Congress would do well. “BSP is nowhere. Mayawati ji has not come out. Akhilesh ji has come out now near the polls and was nowhere to be seen in the last four-and-a-half years. Congress is gaining. We are aiming to perform well and get a good result,” he asserted. Sindhu wins silver in BWF World Tour Finals Indian badminton ace P V Sindhu settled for a silver medal at the BWF World Tour Finals after going down meekly against Korean teen sensation An Seyoung in the summit clash in Bali on Sunday. Sindhu, the reigning world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, could neither match the pace nor breach the defence of the world number six Korean, losing 16-21 12-21 in the 40-minute lop-sided clash. It was Sindhu’s third successive loss, all in straight games, to the Korean in as many meetings. With this victory, An Seyoung became the first ever South Korean woman to win the season-ending title. It was also her third straight title in Bali, following wins at the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open in the last two weeks. Making her third final appearance in the year-end tournament, world number seven Sindhu looked a pale shadow of the player who had claimed the title in 2018 to become the only Indian to achieve the feat. Up against the 19-year-old Korean, Sindhu once again looked short of ideas. She couldn’t mount her attacking game or make use of the full court. An Seyoung looked more polished at the nets and rode on the quality of strokes. She produced some sensational full stretch diving saves with her swift movement to blunt Sindhu’s game plan. Sindhu will next look to defend her title at the World Championships in Huelva, Spain starting December 12. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 05 DECEMBER 2021 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( 13 Nagaland civilians among 14 killed in alleged armed forces ‘ambush’ [Thirteen civilians were among 14 people killed]( in an armed forces’ operation against extremists gone wrong in Nagaland’s Mon district on Saturday evening. The Army’s 3 Corps headquartered on the outskirts of the State’s Dimapur town issued a statement on Sunday, owning responsibility for the killing of the civilians and assuring “appropriate action”. The Nagaland Government has ordered a high-level probe into the incident by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). “Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon district, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted,” the statement said. “The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” it said, adding that a few soldiers were severely injured and one soldier succumbed to his injuries. According to members of the Konyak Union, representing the dominant Konyak community in the district, some labourers were returning home to Oting village in a pick-up van from a coal mine in Tiru area 15 km away. “The armed forces ambushed their vehicle and killed six on the spot. Seven locals died later. At least 11 others are battling injuries while two are missing,” a union member said. The labourers come home every Saturday from the mine, spend Sunday with their families, and return to work on Monday. This has been a routine for a long time, he said. A local police official said the troops had laid in wait for members of the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang-Yung Aung) but fired at the pick-up van. The incident enraged the locals who attacked the troops and set two of their vehicles on fire. One soldier was killed in this attack during which the troops fired at the locals in self-defence, officials said. An Army officer said there was specific input of movement of NSCN (K-YA) cadres in a vehicle of specific colour and type following which the area was cordoned off. But the civilians came in a similar vehicle and “did not cooperate” when asked to stop. The troops fired at the vehicle instinctively. “Six civilians were killed and two injured,” he said. [Placards and black flags are put up at the venue of the Hornbill festival in Kisama, Nagaland on December 5, 2021 in solidarity with the civilians killed in an anti-insurgency operation the previous evening.]  As the troops waited for the police to arrive, locals gathered and attacked them. The officer claimed a soldier was killed and three others were injured in firing from the crowd. Seven civilians were killed when the troops fired in self-defence, he added. “The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians… is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families and speedy recovery of those injured. High level SIT will investigate and justice delivered as per the law of the land. Appeal for peace from all sections,” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tweeted. Expressing anguish at the incident, Home Minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter expressing condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and assuring justice. Local organisations have demanded action against the guilty personnel and threatened to approach national and international human rights organisations. Members of the victims’ families refused to receive their bodies if justice is not delivered fast. Reacting to the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) announced the withdrawal of six tribes it represents from the annual Hornbill Festival ongoing at Kisama near State capital Kohima. [underlineimg] Seven, including 3 who came from Nigeria, test positive for Omicron in Pune Seven persons from Pune district have [tested positive for Omicron variant of coronavirus]( a health official said on Sunday. They include a woman who came from Nigeria along with her two daughters to meet her brother in adjoining Pimpri Chinchwad area, the official said. Her brother and his two daughters have also tested positive for the variant, he added. Another case is of a man from Pune who returned from Finland in the last week of last month, the official said. The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Maharashtra has gone up to eight, he said. A 33-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Thane district had tested positive for the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The man, a marine engineer, is currently undergoing treatment at a COVID-19 care centre in Kalyan town, located about 50 km from the State capital Mumbai. The resident of Dombivli town had arrived in Delhi from South Africa on November 23 and had then taken a flight to Mumbai. Earlier in the day, [Delhi reported its first Omicron case](. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said a patient admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, who had returned from Tanzania, had tested positive for the new variant. [underlineimg] No Opposition alliance sans Congress possible at national level, says Bhupesh Baghel Days after Mamata Banerjee’s “no UPA” jibe, [Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday attacked the TMC chief]( saying she must clarify whether she wants to make TMC the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties. He also said no Opposition alliance is possible at the national level without the Congress, which has to be the main pillar of the bloc taking on the BJP. In an interview with PTI, Baghel said a decision on who would be the face of the Opposition that would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 general election would be taken collectively by the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is headed by Sonia Gandhi. His remarks come days after West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee took swipes at the Congress leadership and said there is “no UPA”, after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. On Banerjee’s remarks, Baghel said, “I would like to say to Mamata Banerjee that you want to become the main opposition party, it is a very good thing. If you want to move forward with a plan, harbouring a dream, it will be welcomed, but the question is whether you want to become the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties.” Asked if he believes that there is collusion between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, Baghel said Banerjee should clarify, as after meeting Pawar, she said “there is no UPA” but following her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, nothing came out as to what transpired and she later attacked the Congress. “Why has it not come out in the open as to what she discussed with the PM,” he asked. On the TMC entering the poll fray suddenly in some poll-bound states such as Goa, Baghel said it seems that they want to help the BJP in those States. “They don’t have anything in Goa but want to fight. So they want to divide the opposition vote,” he said. Baghel also hit out at poll strategist Prashant Kishor for his remarks that the space represented by the Congress was vital but its leadership is not the “divine right of an individual”, an apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi. “Prashant Kishor works for money, be it for the BJP, Congress, TMC or JD(U), for poll campaigns. He is a professional person, so he should say who he is working for now,” Baghel said. The Chhattisgarh CM said Kishor is not associated with any political party that he will make comments like the ones he did, so he should clarify whether he is working for the BJP or for Mamata Banerjee. “(Narendra) Modi ji, (Amit) Shah ji, talked about Congress-mukt Bharat, they could not do it. Now, has that job been taken over by Prashant Kishor?” he asked. On whether any alliance sans Congress is possible at the national level to take on the BJP, Baghel said as of today it does not seem possible. On whether the Congress would be the main pillar of the Opposition alliance at the national level, the Chattisgarh CM said, “Congress will be (the main pillar), it is a straightforward thing.” “It is the Congress that has a presence from Kashmir to Kerala. Other Opposition parties don’t have that kind of presence,” he said. Asked if Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the Opposition bloc to take on PM Modi in 2024, Baghel said he is “too small a person” to decide on such matters and is not authorised by the party to comment on all such issues. However, he said, “Several parties comprise the UPA whose chairperson is Sonia Gandhi, and all parties will decide on the issue together.” Baghel added that in the whole country, there is only one leader that is taking on the central government and BJP, and that is Rahul Gandhi. He said the BJP is “rattled’’ by Rahul Gandhi, so it is possible that they “may be targeting him through these people (TMC, Kishor and other critics)”. The TMC and the Congress have been growing distant of late, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party poaching the latter’s leaders in several states in the recent past. The two parties have further distanced themselves, with the TMC not attending the opposition meetings convened by the Congress over opposition unity in Parliament. Baghel, who is the Congress’ senior observer for Uttar Pradesh polls, also said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on his way out as “everyone is angry with him and he has no achievements”. On whether the Congress will be the main challenger to the BSP in Uttar Pradesh, Baghel slammed both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to claim that the Congress would do well. “BSP is nowhere. Mayawati ji has not come out. Akhilesh ji has come out now near the polls and was nowhere to be seen in the last four-and-a-half years. Congress is gaining. We are aiming to perform well and get a good result,” he asserted. [underlineimg] Sindhu wins silver in BWF World Tour Finals Indian badminton ace [P V Sindhu settled for a silver medal at the BWF World Tour Finals]( after going down meekly against Korean teen sensation An Seyoung in the summit clash in Bali on Sunday. [First place winner An Seyoung of South Korea and second place Pusarla V. Sindhu of India celebrate with their trophies during the victory ceremony after their women's singles badminton final match at the BWF World Tour Finals in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on December 5, 2021. ]  Sindhu, the reigning world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, could neither match the pace nor breach the defence of the world number six Korean, losing 16-21 12-21 in the 40-minute lop-sided clash. It was Sindhu’s third successive loss, all in straight games, to the Korean in as many meetings. With this victory, An Seyoung became the first ever South Korean woman to win the season-ending title. It was also her third straight title in Bali, following wins at the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open in the last two weeks. Making her third final appearance in the year-end tournament, world number seven Sindhu looked a pale shadow of the player who had claimed the title in 2018 to become the only Indian to achieve the feat. Up against the 19-year-old Korean, Sindhu once again looked short of ideas. She couldn’t mount her attacking game or make use of the full court. An Seyoung looked more polished at the nets and rode on the quality of strokes. She produced some sensational full stretch diving saves with her swift movement to blunt Sindhu’s game plan. Sindhu will next look to defend her title at the World Championships in Huelva, Spain starting December 12. 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