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| Siege of Mukalimi | |||||||||
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| Part of the Naga Interfactional Conflicts within the Insurgency in Nagaland, Insurgency in Northeast India | |||||||||
 Sumi Martyr's Day celebrations | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| NSCN-K (NSCN-IM claim) |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 6,000 - 10,000 | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 7+ killed |
5+ killed (Assam Rifles claim) | ||||||||
| Insurgency in Northeast India | |
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The siege of Mukalimi was an armed conflict that occurred from 26 December – 30 December 2013, in the Mukalimi area of Nagaland, India. The siege resulted from escalating tensions following an incident on 21 December 2013, when two Sumi women were allegedly strip-searched by NSCN-IM cadres at a checkpoint.
Background
Tensions had been simmering in the region due to various factors, including discontent over the NSCN-IM's activities, dissatisfaction with the peace process, and longstanding tribal rivalries. The NSCN-IM, predominantly composed of the Tangkhul tribe, had been engaged in an armed struggle for Naga self-determination since the late 20th century. However, their methods and territorial ambitions often clashed with other Naga tribes, such as the Sumi Naga. During the NSCN takeover of Nagaland, the NSCN had killed dozens of Sumi Naga civilians and militants alike, and ever since relations between the two sides remained strained.
Furthermore, this incident occurred during a time of turmoil within Nagaland, as the number of NSCN-related clashes began to increase, mostly due to interfactional clashes. Additionally, numerous protests had erupted within the state protesting the NSCN-IM's taxation of villagers.
21 December incident
On 21 December 2013, NSCN-IM cadres allegedly attempted to rape and molest two Sumi women at a checkpoint near Aghuito town. This incident sparked outrage among the Sumi community, prompting demands for the perpetrators to be handed over to the authorities for prosecution. Despite the NSCN-IM's internal disciplinary actions against the accused cadre, the Sumi Hoho (tribal council) insisted on legal recourse. When NSCN failed to answer to Sumi Hoho demands to hand over the accused militants, breakdown in negotiations occurred. Furthermore, the Sumi Naga community, resentful of NSCN-IM's presence and actions in their territory, sought justice for the alleged assault on the two women, further leading to mounting tensions.
Siege
Start of siege
Following the failure to resolve the issue peacefully, thousands of Sumi volunteers, organized by the Sumi Totimi Hoho, Sumi Students Union, and Sumi Gaon Bura Hoho, mobilized under the banner of the Sumi Hoho and marched towards the NSCN-IM designated camp at Mukalimi on 26 December 2013. The objective of the "Flush out Mission" was to compel the NSCN-IM to vacate Sumi areas and deliver justice for the 21 December incident.
Firing and fighting
By 28 December, the siege had escalated into violent confrontations, with both sides exchanging fire. NSCN-IM cadres, armed with rifles and other firearms, engaged in clashes with Sumi volunteers, mostly armed with older hunting rifles, as well as traditional weapons like machetes and wooden implements. The NSCN-IM claimed that the Sumi volunteers were being aided by the NSCN-K. The fighting resulted in casualties on both sides, with 5 Sumi Naga being killed in firing on 28 December alone. Reports indicated heavy and intermittent firing throughout the siege, with Sumi volunteers cutting off reinforcements, as well as water lines, to the NSCN-IM camp. On 29 December, at least one more Sumi volunteer had been killed in the fighting, with both sides growing increasingly entrenched in their positions.
Ceasefire
After several days of intense fighting, a ceasefire was eventually brokered on 30 December, facilitated by the Assam Rifles. The NSCN-IM cadres agreed to vacate the Mukalimi camp, and safe passage was provided for their withdrawal, but not before a brief clash led to one Sumi volunteer being injured. The ceasefire brought a halt to the firing, allowing for the evacuation of injured Sumi Naga volunteers for medical treatment. On the hill, the dead bodies of 5 NSCN militants was found by the Assam Rifles, a claim which was refuted by the NSCN. The camp was then razed by the Sumi volunteers.
Aftermath
On 31 December, NSCN-IM stated that the outfit had found 3 people, Sergeant Mapam Keishing, Corporal Mahori, and Private Ninoto guilty of the rape of 2 women at 21 December. Sgt. Keishing was awarded capital punishment 2 days before the announcement, on 29 December.
On 2 January 2014, the Sumi Hoho declared 28 December as "Martyrs' Day", in order to honour the fallen volunteers during the siege. Furthermore, on 7 January, the Sumi Baghi Hoho passed four resolutions, aiming to delink all ties with NSCN-IM with immediate effect, and thus eliminating any taxation paid to the NSCN-IM.
On 23 January, another Sumi volunteer who had been injured in the fighting died at a hospital in Shillong, raising the death toll on the Sumi side to at least 7.
References
- ^ "IM's national principle not bigger than Naga people: GPRN/NSCN". Morung Express. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "NSCN-IM – 2013". South Asia Terrorism Portal. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- "Mukalimi siege continues". Nagaland Post. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- "Kaito: Government acted responsibly in Mukalimi attack". Eastern Mirror Nagaland. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Talukdar, Sushanta; Swami, Praveen (30 December 2013). "Sumi Naga tribal siege forces insurgents to flee camp at Mukalimi". Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Talukdar, Sushanta; Swami, Praveen (30 December 2013). "One more civilian injured as NSCN(IM), Sumis clash". Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "NSCN-IM – 2014". South Asia Terrorism Portal. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- Declaration of Cease-fire and Suspension of Operation by Th. Muivah, August 2014
- ^ "Naga Hoho on Mukalimi Incident". Morung Express. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- "NSCN camp still under siege; toll 2". The Telegraph. India. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2024.