SECURITYMEN KILL 13 NAGA CIVILIANS

Six died when Army mistook coal mine workers for insurgents; rioting ensued in which soldiers killed seven others in 'self-defence'

Security forces in Nagaland on Saturday opened fire on civilians twice - once in a botched-up operation and the second time during the rioting that followed -- killing 13.

In the first firing, which killed six civilians, army personnel mistook coal mine workers who were singing songs and returning home in a pick-up van as insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of a banned outfit the NSCN (K).

The Army was purportedly acting on a tip-off about the movement of the NSCN (K) cadres, which proved to be incorrect.

When the slain workers failed to reach their homes, local youth and villagers went in search of them and surrounded the army vehicles. In the ensuing melee, one soldier was killed and several army vehicles were burnt. Soldiers who reportedly fired in self-defence killed another seven civilians, said police officials.

The riots spilled over into Sunday afternoon when angry mobs vandalised the offices of the Konyak Union and an Assam Rifles camp in the area.