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{{Short description|2021 massacre by Indian soldiers in Nagaland state of India}}
{{Citation style|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2021 Nagaland Killings
| subtitle =
| partof = the [[Human rights issues in Northeast India]]
| image = Kohima Candlelight Vigil Service 2021.jpg
| caption = Candlelight vigil organised at [[Kohima]]
| date = 4–5 December 2021
| place = Yatong–Langkhao, Oting, [[Mon District]], [[Nagaland]], India
| coordinates =
| goals =
| methods = [[Ambush]]
| status =
| result =
| side1 = {{army |India}}
*[[Para (Special Forces)|21st Para Special Forces]]<ref name="21paracommandos"/><ref name="nagapolicefir">{{cite web |title=Nagaland Op That Killed 14 Civilians: Army Unit Named In FIR |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-nagaland-civilian-deaths-police-name-21-para-special-forces-of-army-allege-intention-to-murder-2638566 |website=NDTV.com |date=6 December 2021 |quote=The 21 Para Special forces of Army "blankly opened fire" resulting in the killing of many Oting villagers in Mon district of Nagaland near Assam border, the state police has alleged in its FIR against the Army unit.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=No attempt by Army to identify civilians, says Nagaland police report |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/no-attempt-by-army-to-identify-civilians-says-nagaland-police-report-121120800062_1.html |website=Business Standard India |date=8 December 2021 |quote=The Nagaland Police on its own filed an FIR against the 21st Para Special Force of the Army on Monday.}}</ref><ref name="hrwreport"/>
*[[Assam Rifles]]<ref name="hrwreport">{{cite web |title=India: Army Kills 14 Civilians in Nagaland |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/12/08/india-army-kills-14-civilians-nagaland |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |date=8 December 2021}}</ref>
| side2 = Civilians
| side3 =
| side4 =
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
| leadfigures3 =
| leadfigures4 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany2 =
| howmany3 =
| howmany4 =
| casualties1 = 1 killed
| casualties2 = 14 killed
| casualties3 =
| casualties4 =
| fatalities =
| injuries =
| arrests =
| damage =
| buildings =
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| effect =
| effect_label =
| casualties_label = Deaths
| notes =
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}}

On 4 December 2021, a unit of 21st Para Special Forces of the [[Indian Army]] killed six civilians near the village of Oting in the [[Mon district|Mon District]] of [[Nagaland]],[[Nagaland|{{nbsp}}]]India. Eight more civilians and a soldier were killed in subsequent violence. The killings were widely condemned with many calling to repeal and revoke the [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act|Armed Forces Special Powers Act]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|title=Indian troops kill 14 civilians in weekend incidents, spurring demands for repeal of special powers in some regions|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/06/india-nagaland-encounter/|access-date=2021-12-07|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Due to the provisions of the act, the accused army personnels were not prosecuted.

== Background ==
Nagaland has been long beset with [[Ethnic conflict in Nagaland|secessionist politics]], often spilling into armed insurgency, to which the government has responded with a heavy presence of armed forces.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|last=Wouters|first=Jelle J. P.|url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199485703.001.0001/oso-9780199485703|title=In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency: Tribes, State, and Violence in Northeast India|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2018|doi=10.1093/oso/9780199485703.001.0001|isbn=978-0-19-909776-0}}</ref> In 1958, the Parliament of India enacted the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which granted considerable leeway to armed forces and eliminated procedural safeguards. In addition, other laws and regulations make prosecution of army personnels impossible for human rights violations. This has resulted into several [[List of massacres in Nagaland|massacres in Nagaland]] as well as in Kashmir in the past.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Aparicio |first1=Teresa |url=https://iwgia.org/images/publications/0166_56_The_Naga_nation_and_its_struggle_against_genocide.pdf |title=The Naga Nation and its Struggle against Genocide |last2=Jorgensen |first2=Jorgen Brechner |last3=Gray |first3=Andrew |publisher=[[International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs]] |year=1986 |location=Copenhagen |language=en}}</ref> Despite several peace accords signed between insurgents groups and the Indian government, these laws still remain in force.

Prior to the 2021 killings, the Indian government had extended the application AFPSA across Nagaland for six months in June 2021. This decision was taken in less than a day after then Nagaland chief minister [[Neiphiu Rio]] had met with then India's home minister [[Rajnath Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=30 June 2021 |title=Centre extends AFSPA in Nagaland till December 31 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/central-government-afspa-nagaland-extended-december21-naga-peace-treaty-1821258-2021-06-30 |access-date=1 October 2025 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Incidents ==
Oting is a village in Nagaland, within the Mon [[community development block]]. In the 2011 census, the population stood at 1266; 99% of them were classed under [[scheduled tribes]] with a 29% literacy rate. About 45.4% had annual employment exceeding half-a-year and were mostly cultivators; another 9.1% were "marginal workers" and mostly employed in household industries for less than 3 months.

=== Ambush ===
On the evening of 4 December 2021 at around 4:00–5:00{{nbsp}}p.m. [[Indian Standard Time|IST]], a unit of 21st [[Para (Special Forces)|Para Special Forces]]<ref name="21paracommandos">{{cite web |date=6 December 2021 |title=Nagaland killings: Full statement made by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nagaland-killings-amit-shah-full-statement-parliament-7658950/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> ambushed an open-bed pickup truck—carrying civilians from Oting village ({{Coord|26|50|42|N|94|57|27|E}}) who were returning from a coal mine at Tiru—and opened fire.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/05/nagaland-killings-india-security-forces-shot-civilians-mistaken-for-militants|title=Nagaland killings: rioting as Indian security forces shoot dozen civilians|date=5 December 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/5/indian-villagers-protest-after-army-mistakenly-opens-fire|title=At least 13 civilians shot dead by army in India's Nagaland state|date=5 December 2021|website=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-05|title=India Nagaland: Security forces kill 13 civilians amid ambush blunder|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59531445|access-date=2021-12-07}}</ref> Six people died, and two received serious injuries.<ref name=":9" />

The Army claims the targeting of civilians occurred due to an intelligence failure; they had suspected the vehicle to contain [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland|Naga insurgents]].<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland: Indian state tense after killing of 14 civilians|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59544599|access-date=2021-12-07}}</ref> They further claim to have only opened fire when instructions to the vehicle to stop were not followed.<ref name="hindu1">{{Cite news|last1=Karmakar|first1=Rahul|last2=Peri|first2=Dinakar|date=December 5, 2021|title=Army operation in Nagaland goes awry, 15 civilians dead|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/16-dead-after-armys-nagaland-ambush/article37849057.ece|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The two survivors reject the claims, as did [[Nagaland Police]] upon a preliminary inquiry.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland Police rejects army's claim of credible intelligence behind Oting firing, says troops fired without establishing facts|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/nagaland/nagaland-police-rejects-army’s-claim-of-credible-intelligen/cid5953391.htm|access-date=2021-12-07|website=thenortheasttoday.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-08|title=Nagaland killings: Direct marise…they shot right at us, no signal to stop, we did not flee, says ambush survivor|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/nagaland-civilian-killings-indian-army-armed-forces-act-7661456/|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

=== Discovery of bodies ===
Neighbouring villagers, apprehensive about the gunshots and villagers who were yet to return, soon arrived at the scene and intercepted a convoy of military vehicles; the troops claimed to be reinforcements who were shifting "injured people" to hospital and feigned ignorance about why the pickup truck stood splattered with blood.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Zaman|first=Rokibuz|title=A Nagaland village mourns its dead: 'How can the army kill my innocent sons?'|url=https://scroll.in/article/1012235/a-nagaland-village-mourns-its-dead-how-can-the-army-kill-my-innocent-sons|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Scroll.in|date=7 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Agarwala |first=Tora |date=2021-12-07 |title='Admit we got aggressive but they killed our brothers, who had done no wrong' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/nagaland-civilian-killing-afspa-armed-forces-7659930/ |access-date=2021-12-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Nagaland firing: Villagers say security personnel tried to pass off killed civilians as militants|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1012414/nagaland-killings-villagers-say-security-forces-heroic-reports-of-operation-are-false|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Scroll.in|date=9 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> Subsequently, they were found to be transporting the dead to their base camp while also trying to change the attire of the deceased, evidently to [[Encounter killings by police|stage an encounter]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Nagaland Civilian Killings: Police Report Also Hints at Cover-Up Attempt|url=https://thewire.in/government/nagaland-civilian-killings-police-report-also-hints-at-cover-up-attempt-by-security-forces|access-date=2021-12-07|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 8, 2021|first=Sreya|last=Chatterjee|title=Nagaland shooting: Eyewitnesses claim there was an attempt to change the attire of dead civilians|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nagaland-shooting-eyewitnesses-1885375-2021-12-08|access-date=2021-12-08|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18" />

In the ensuing melee, tires of army vehicles were punctured, and three vehicles torched; in accompanying gunfire, seven civilians were killed and twenty injured.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=X|first=Samrat|title=Ambush, mob fury, and a lawless law: A timeline of what happened in Nagaland on December 4|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/12/06/ambush-mob-fury-and-a-lawless-law-a-timeline-of-what-happened-in-nagaland-on-december-4|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Newslaundry |date=6 December 2021 }}</ref> The Indian Army claimed troops were attacked by machete-wielding villagers and claimed they opened fire under compulsion, as one infantryman was dead and others injured.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland civilian killings: What Amit Shah said in Parliament|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-civilian-killings-what-amit-shah-said-in-parliament/articleshow/88120999.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-07|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206105719/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-civilian-killings-what-amit-shah-said-in-parliament/articleshow/88120999.cms |archive-date=2021-12-06 }}</ref> Villagers rejected the claims and accused the Army of indiscriminate shooting.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":15" /> Nyawang Konyak, president of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]’s district unit claimed to have been fired at by Indian army soldiers despite his vehicle displaying a party-flag.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Saikia |first1=Arunabh |title=BJP district chief in Nagaland alleges security forces fired at him 'despite party flag on car' |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1012127/bjp-district-chief-in-nagaland-alleges-security-forces-fired-at-him-despite-party-flag-on-car |website=Scroll.in |date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

==Aftermath==

=== Protests and remembrance ===
The following day, the [[Government of Nagaland]] imposed [[Section 144]] in Mon District to restrict public assembly and movement; mobile internet and bulk SMS services were indefinitely suspended.<ref name="hindu1" /> Despite, public protests were organized — hundreds of men entered into a local camp of [[Assam Rifles]] in [[Mon Town]] during which one more civilian was killed.<ref name="hindu1" /><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Yasir|first1=Sameer|last2=Kumar|first2=Hari|date=December 5, 2021|title=Anger Spreads in Northeastern India After Security Forces Kill 14 Civilians|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/world/asia/india-northeast-nagaland-civilians.html|access-date=6 December 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which represents six tribes, withdrew from the ongoing annual [[Hornbill Festival]].<ref name="hindu1" /> The [[Naga people|Nagas]] hoisted black flags on all its [[morung]]s at the festival while the [[Konyak Naga|Konyaks]] decided to have its cultural troupe abstain from participating at the festival. This was followed by the other Naga cultural troupes also abstaining on 5 December. Two minutes of silence were also observed at the venue on the same day.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Later on the evening of 5 December, the people of [[Kohima]] observed a [[power blackout]] for 30 minutes to mourn the death of the civilians.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/several-civilians-killed-by-security-forces-in-mon-high-level-sit-t-to-investigate-incident|title=Several civilians killed by security forces in Mon; High-level SIT t to investigate incident|date=5 December 2021|website=[[The Morung Express]]|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/nagaland/2021/12/05/lotha-hoho-call-for-shutdown-in-wokha-district-over-civilian-killings/|title=Nagaland killings: Lotha Hoho to abstain from Hornbill Festival|date=5 December 2021|website=[[East Mojo]]|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref> Candlelight marches were organised in Kohima, [[Dimapur]] and other towns on the same day.<ref name="hindu1" /> A six-hour shutdown was also called by the [[Naga Students' Federation]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland killings spark fresh demand for AFSPA repeal, SIT report in a month: Key points|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-killings-spark-fresh-demand-for-afspa-repeal-sit-report-in-a-month-key-points/articleshow/88129873.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-07|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206171842/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-killings-spark-fresh-demand-for-afspa-repeal-sit-report-in-a-month-key-points/articleshow/88129873.cms |archive-date=2021-12-06 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ambrocia|first=Medolenuo|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland killings: 6-hour total shut down across Naga inhabited areas|url=http://www.eastmojo.com/nagaland/2021/12/06/nagaland-killings-6-hour-total-shut-down-across-naga-inhabited-areas/|access-date=2021-12-07|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref> On 7 December, the Government of Nagaland announced that it would suspend all activities at the Hornbill Festival.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2021|title=Nagaland to seek AFSPA repeal; Hornbill festival suspended|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/nagaland-to-seek-afspa-repeal-hornbill-festival-suspended-1058463.html|access-date=7 December 2021|website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
[[Amit Shah]], [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs of India]], regretted the killings before the Parliament—which was in session—, and tasked a [[Special Investigation Team (India)|Special Investigation Team]] to complete an enquiry within a month; however, he reiterated the narrative of Indian Army in toto.<ref name=":2" /> The opposition staged a walkout in protest and later, condemned the government preventing political from accessing the area.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Barooah Pisharoty |first=Sangeeta |author-link=Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty |date=8 December 2021 |title='This Is a Lie': Nagaland's BJP Leadership Decries Amit Shah's Justification of Killings in LS |url=https://thewire.in/politics/this-is-a-lie-nagalands-bjp-leadership-decries-amit-shahs-justification-of-killings-in-ls |access-date=2021-12-08 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Nagaland killings: Amit Shah twisted facts, civilians were not trying to flee, says BJP ally|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1012489/nagaland-killings-amit-shah-twisted-facts-civilians-were-not-trying-to-flee-says-bjp-ally|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Scroll.in|date=10 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Even members of the state BJP unit and its political allies reject Shah's narrative — party president [[Temjen Imma Along|Temjen Imna Along]] held the event to be "summary execution as well as genocide."<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":19" /><ref>{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title='Black day': Naga groups, politicians condemn civilians killing by security forces|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1012140/black-day-naga-groups-politicians-condemn-civilians-killing-by-security-forces|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Scroll.in|date=5 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> The local village council has since issued an informal ban on Indian Army entering into the village.<ref name=":18" />

== Investigations ==
On 6 December, the [[Nagaland Police]] registered a [[First information report]] against the 21 Para Special Forces, bringing charges of [[First Degree Murder|first degree murder]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kanojia|first=Sonu|date=2021-12-06|title=Nagaland Police lodged FIR against 21 Para Special Forces in the Nagaland Op Death|url=https://hwnews.in/news/national-news/army-unit-named-in-nagaland-op-deaths-intention-to-murder-allege-cops/175706|access-date=2021-12-07|website=HW English|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207072700/https://hwnews.in/news/national-news/army-unit-named-in-nagaland-op-deaths-intention-to-murder-allege-cops/175706|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":15" /> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] has sent notices to the central and the state governments.<ref name=":3" />

The Indian Army constituted a Court of Inquiry headed by a Major General to probe the circumstance under which the operation took place. In addition, it will also examine the credibility of the intelligence report which led to the detachment of the 21 Para Special Forces led by an officer of the rank of Major.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|date=7 December 2021|title=Major General to head court of inquiry|work=[[Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/major-general-to-head-court-of-inquiry/articleshow/88132776.cms|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref>

On 17 September 2024, the [[Supreme Court of India]] quashed criminal proceedings against the accused, citing the lack of government approval for prosecution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=AFP |date=18 September 2024 |title=Fury as India quashes charges for botched army ambush |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240918-fury-as-india-quashes-charges-for-botched-army-ambush |access-date=18 September 2024 |work=[[France 24]]}}</ref>

== Funeral ==
On 6 December, all fifteen civilian casualties were interred in a mass funeral service, led by Chief Minister [[Neiphiu Rio]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Funerals for 15 civilians killed by Indian army held in Nagaland|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/6/india-nagaland-civilians-army-last-rites-afspa-mon|access-date=2021-12-11|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The incident led to renewed calls to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2021-12-07|title=Explained: Why Nagaland killings have rekindled debate on AFSPA|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-nagaland-killings-rekindled-debate-on-afspa-7659242/|access-date=2021-12-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Stuti|date=5 December 2021|title=Nagaland: 13 civilians accidentally shot dead by Indian security forces|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/nagaland-killings-death-india-b1970042.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205105516/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/nagaland-killings-death-india-b1970042.html |archive-date=2021-12-05 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=5 December 2021|website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=5 December 2021|title=NESO condemns Oting massacre, demands repeal of AFSPA|url=http://www.uniindia.com/neso-condemns-oting-massacre-demands-repeal-of-afspa/east/news/2583894.html|access-date=5 December 2021|website=www.uniindia.com}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=5 December 2021 |title=Amit Shah expresses anguish over Nagaland killings, conveys condolences to families |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amit-shah-expresses-anguish-over-nagaland-killings-conveys-condolences-to-families/articleshow/88101976.cms |access-date=5 December 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]] |agency=Asian News International}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=September 2024}} On 7 December, the Government of Nagaland announced that it would officially seek its repeal.<ref name=":17" />

==See also==
* [[List of massacres in Nagaland]]
* [[List of massacres in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Oting massacre}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nagaland killings, 2021}}
[[Category:2021 in Nagaland|Killings]]
[[Category:2021 murders in India]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murders in India]]
[[Category:December 2021 in India]]
[[Category:History of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:2021 mass murders]]
[[Category:Crime in Nagaland|2021 killings]]
[[Category:Extrajudicial killings by the Indian military]]
[[Category:Ambushes in India]]

2021 Nagaland killings - Revision history

HeikeC58098401 at 18:07, 25 March 2026