1995 Kohima Massacre Explained

1995 Kohima Massacre
Partof:Ethnic conflict in Nagaland
Location:Kohima, Nagaland
Date:5 March 1995
Time:1:30–3:30p.m. (IST)
Target:Civilians
Type:Massacre
Fatalities:7
Injuries:36
Perps:16th Rashtriya Rifles

The 1995 Kohima Massacre took place in India on 5 March 1995, when forces of the 16th Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army fired upon the civilian populace while the convoy was traversing through Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland.[1] [2] The incident was sparked by a tyre burst from one of the convoy's own vehicle leading the armed troops to fire at civilians after mistaking the sound of the tyre bursting for a bomb attack.[3]

Incident

On 5 March 1995, a convoy of the 16th Rastriya Rifles (RR) was traversing through Kohima on its way from Bishnupur, Manipur, to Dimapur, Nagaland.

The heavily armed convoy which stretched over had 63 vehicles with five officers, 15 JCOs and 400 privates. As the convoy was crossing the AOC and BOC area which is a thickly populated part of Kohima, a tyre on one of the convoy's truck burst which led the army personnel to react immediately. Unaware that the tyre burst was one of their own, the armed troops started firing at the civilian populace. The fired included 1,207 rounds of gunfire and five rounds of mortar fire. The firing continued from 1:30p.m. until after 3:30p.m. Seven civilians were killed and 36 were injured.

The RR personnel also deliberately attacked property, damaging buildings and houses. They then prevented the injured from being treated.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Naleo. Villo. Nagaland: Remembering Truthfully and Forgiving Generously. 23 August 2016. Eastern Mirror. 5 December 2021.
    - Web site: Nagaland Timeline - Year 1995. South Asia Terrorism Portal. 5 December 2021.
  2. Web site: Basu. Sayak. History of separatism in the conflicted northeastern state of Nagaland. 26 February 2023. Deccan Herald. 22 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Bora. Aniruddha. AFSPA – The tale of Agony in Nagaland. 6 July 2020. Gauri Lankesh News. 6 December 2021.