Households in eastern districts of Nagaland unfurled black flags to protest the Oting firing incident by the army which left 14 civilians dead last year.
Coinciding one year since the incident, several prayer meets were organized across the state while a music video was also released as a tribute to those killed on December 4 last year at Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland.
On that day, six coal miners returning from work were killed in a botched army operation, while seven others were gunned down when angry villagers scuffled with them after discovering the bullet-riddled bodies of the labourers.
Villagers in Oting, which included the family members of the deceased, gathered at a public ground on December 4 and prayed for the victims. They lamented the lack of justice while promising that they will keep fighting for justice.
“They were all innocent and anyone who kills the innocent should be punished,” the villagers said.
They also appealed to the Nagaland government to do the necessary and compensate the victims at the earliest. “After the Oting incident their lives have completely changed and can never be normal again,” one of the villagers said.
The Oting Village Council acknowledged all well-wishers, individuals and organisations that came forward during the dark night for Oting.
After the programme, a candle light tribute was held for the departed souls along with mass prayer.
