Naga Students' Organisation condemns reported drone attack in Langkho village and calls for an investigation into civilian injuries and unexploded bombs.
DIMAPUR — The Naga Students' Organisation (NSO) has strongly condemned the reported drone attack on a civilian residence in Langkho village, Lahe Township in Myanmar, on October 3, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident.
In a statement, the NSO stated that the attack took place at around 1 am when two drones reportedly dropped four bombs on a residential house located in the middle of the village.
Two bombs exploded, while two others reportedly failed to detonate and remain buried at the site, posing an ongoing danger to residents, particularly children.
The organisation said two civilians, including a nine-year-old Grade 5 schoolgirl and an adult male, were injured in the incident. It added that six civilians, none of whom were armed or involved in any armed activity, were staying in the affected house at the time of the attack.
Related: Minor girl among two injured in drone attack on Langkho, says NSCN-K (YA)
Expressing concern over the unexploded ordnance, the NSO said no qualified personnel were currently available to safely locate, remove or defuse the bombs. It warned that the unexploded devices posed an immediate threat to the surrounding civilian population.
The NSO said the reported targeting of a civilian household in the middle of a village, where children and elderly persons were present, was deeply alarming.
It stressed that civilians must be protected from military operations and that any action resulting in civilian casualties or placing unarmed communities at risk must be subject to investigation and accountability.
The organisation also raised concerns over the alleged cross-border nature of the military action, saying such operations raise serious questions concerning state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of civilians under international law.
Referring to the United Nations Charter, the NSO said Article 2(1) affirms the sovereign equality of states, while Article 2(4) prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.
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It further said that, in situations of armed conflict, international humanitarian law requires parties to distinguish between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives.
The NSO called on the Government of India to immediately and transparently investigate the reported incident and ensure accountability for any unlawful conduct.
It also urged the Indian armed forces to exercise the highest degree of restraint and ensure that military operations do not endanger civilian communities across an international border.
It appealed to the Government of Myanmar to protect civilians within its territory, investigate reported violations and raise such incidents through appropriate national, diplomatic and international channels.
The organisation said the safety and rights of civilians in Myanmar-occupied Nagaland should not be overlooked.
The NSO also urged the United Nations, international human rights organisations, humanitarian agencies and other relevant bodies to take note of the reported attacks and support an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into drone strikes affecting civilian communities in Naga areas.
Condemning violence against unarmed civilians, particularly children and elderly persons, the organisation said attacks on civilian households were unacceptable and called for stronger measures to prevent further incidents.
The NSO expressed solidarity with the injured civilians and their families, extending particular sympathy to the injured schoolgirl and wishing all those affected a speedy recovery.
It also appealed to the Naga people to remain united and peaceful amid continuing insecurity, saying solidarity and peaceful cooperation were essential to protecting vulnerable communities and preserving their collective rights and dignity.