[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Local media reported on the 5th (local time) that the military in northeastern India shot civilians, resulting in 14 deaths.
According to reports, members of the 'Assam Rifles,' a paramilitary unit under the Indian Army, shot at a truck carrying about 30 miners in Oting village, Nagaland state in the northeast the previous day, killing 6 people.
A local police official said, "The military mistook the miners in the truck for insurgents," adding, "At the time, the military had information on insurgent movements and was lying in ambush."
After this incident became known, hundreds of villagers from nearby areas gathered near the military base and fiercely protested by setting military vehicles on fire. The military also fired at them, resulting in an additional 7 to 8 civilian deaths. During this process, one soldier was also killed, and several others were reported injured.
The army issued a statement after the tragedy, saying, "We are conducting the highest-level investigation regarding the cause of the casualties," and that appropriate measures will be taken according to legal procedures thereafter.
In northeastern India, bordering Myanmar, including Nagaland and Manipur states, insurgent groups rooted in local tribal societies have been active for decades aiming for independence. On the 13th of last month, an ambush attack by insurgents in Manipur state resulted in the deaths of 5 soldiers, including an Indian Army colonel, and more than 2 civilians.
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