The funeral service in honor of the innocent civilians killed at Oting and Mon Hq on 4th and 5th December 2021 by the Indian Army was held at Helipad Ground, Mon on 6th December 2021.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, Dy. CM, Y. Patton, Ministers: Metsubo Jamir, Neiba Kronu and Pangyu Phom, T.R. Zeliang and all the Konyak Legislators were among the thousands who attended the service.
Rio in his speech stated that he along with his colleagues were there to mourn together with the people of Mon. He stated that the whole State is with the Konyaks and the ENPO to observe 4th and 5th December 2021 as Black Day, against the incident which took the lives of innocent Nagas by the Indian Army. This day will go down in the history of our people, where our brave sons sacrificed their lives for our land, he added. He stated that the challenge of removing the tag of "Disturbed State" on Nagaland and the prevalence of AFSPA in the State is a continuing challenge which the State Government is fighting against.
He assured the people that the components of the joint memorandum submitted by the KU, KNSK and KSU, which falls under the States prerogative will be looked into and for those under the Centre's, the State government will work towards it's fulfillment.
He declared an ex-gratia of Rupees Five (5) Lakh for the family of each victim by the State Government. He also stated that the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has announced an ex-gratia of Rupees Eleven (11) Lakh and a Government job to the family of each victim.
Representatives from Konyak Legislators, ENPO, Konyak Union, KNSK, ENSF, KSU, Village Council of Oting, Jakphang and Chi delivered speeches condemning the incident and the cruel and draconian provisions of AFSPA.
The service was chaired by Vice-President, KSU, Yuwang Konyak. The invocation was pronounced by Pastor KBCM, Rev. Nahngom and the last rites were performed by Executive Secretary, KBBB.
(Renbenthung, IA Mon)