Deaths in Nagaland: Surat will not change even if AFSPA is removed, government will have to change its approach

14 civilians, including six coal miners, were killed in Nagaland's Mon district due to bullets from the Army's 21 Para Special Forces. These deaths are a painful sign of the impasse in the state. Not only does it expose the worst aspects of India's anti-insurgency doctrine, but it also shows the horrific and disastrous state of the political-security situation in the northeastern border state. Viewed from this perspective, the failures of the killings in Mon district are a collection of people living in the border areas of Northeast India year after year.They continue to harm the people living in the areas.

The central politico-military establishment has been using 'apology', 'sorry' and 'court of inquiry' maneuvers to quell the ongoing turmoil. It exposes the carelessness and haphazard approach of the Indian government towards border problems.