Nagaland LYCF flays drone attack at Khammoi

Longwa Yen Citizens Forum (LYCF) has strongly condemns what it termed as “brutal and inhuman drone attack on civilians” at Khammoi village under the chieftainship of Longwa.
In a press release, LYCF president J. Tawang and general secretary Palei Konyak stated that Longwa and Khammoi villages, though separated by the arbitrary India-Myanmar boundary, shared ancient bonds of brotherhood, culture, and lineage.
The forum stated that Khammoi people trace their ancestry, customs, and chieftainship (Anghship) to Longwa. LYCF said they also speak the same dialect, uphold the same traditions, and share the same history.
The forum stated that Khammoi was therefore not merely a village across a border, but an inseparable part of Longwa’s heritage. It stated that any harm inflicted upon Khammoi or any village under the chieftainship of Longwa was harm inflicted upon Longwa in particular and Nagas in general as they were one people, “divided geographically not by choice but by forces beyond our control.”
The forum denounced the “reckless drone attack” purportedly carried out by the Indian Armed Forces despite knowing it would result in collateral damage.
The attack claimed the lives of seven-year-old Phiphot Wangsa, a student, and a 27-year-old Khampei Wangsa, joint secretary of Khammoi Students’ Union and critically injuring four others, it stated.
Describing the act as “deliberate, unlawful, and wholly unjustifiable”, the forum said the perpetrators not only violated humanitarian rights and international laws but also created an atmosphere of panic among peace-loving citizens.
Recalling past “ill-treatment” by the Indian Armed Forces, LYCF said the attack raised serious concerns about whether the Armed Forces were acting as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
The forum declared that atrocities committed with impunity were intolerable and would never be tolerated.
Therefore, LYCF has urged the state government, responsible citizens and organizations to “condemn this senseless and barbaric act” and to join hands in restoring peace and safeguarding Naga soil by taking all necessary measures.
Meanwhile, the forum appealed to certain media outlets to exercise caution and meticulously verify facts on sensitive issues, as some reports regarding the Khammoi drone attack have been misleading. The forum clarified that no NSCN-K (YA) designated camps were targeted on October 20, but instead a civilian residential area was attacked, resulting in civilian casualties.
LYCF has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.