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| Siege of Mukalimi | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of theNaga Interfactional Conflicts within theInsurgency in Nagaland,Insurgency in Northeast India | |||||||||
 Sumi Martyr's Day celebrations | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| NSCN-K (NSCN-IM claim)[2] |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 6,000 - 10,000[3][4][1] | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 7+ killed[5][6][7] | 5+ killed (Assam Rifles claim) | ||||||||
Thesiege of Mukalimi was an armed conflict that occurred from 26 December – 30 December 2013, in theMukalimi area ofNagaland,India. The siege resulted from escalating tensions following an incident on 21 December 2013, when twoSumi women were allegedly strip-searched byNSCN-IM cadres at a checkpoint.[citation needed]
Tensions had been simmering in the region due to various factors, including discontent over theNSCN-IM's activities, dissatisfaction with the peace process, and longstanding tribal rivalries.[citation needed] The NSCN-IM, predominantly composed of theTangkhul 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 otherNaga tribes, such as theSumi Naga. During theNSCN takeover of Nagaland, the NSCN had killed dozens of Sumi Naga civilians andmilitants alike, and ever since relations between the two sides remained strained.[8]
Furthermore, this incident occurred during a time of turmoil withinNagaland, as the number ofNSCN-related clashes began to increase, mostly due to interfactional clashes. Additionally, numerous protests had erupted within the state protesting theNSCN-IM's taxation of villagers.[2]
On 21 December 2013, NSCN-IM cadres allegedly attempted to rape and molest two Sumi women at a checkpoint near Aghuito town.[citation needed] 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, theSumi Hoho (tribal council) insisted on legal recourse.[5] 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.[6]
Following the failure to resolve the issue peacefully, thousands of Sumi volunteers, organized by theSumi Totimi Hoho,Sumi Students Union, andSumi Gaon Bura Hoho,[1] 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.[5][9]
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 likemachetes and wooden implements. TheNSCN-IM claimed that the Sumi volunteers were being aided by theNSCN-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.[6][5][10]
After several days of intense fighting, a ceasefire was eventually brokered on 30 December, facilitated by theAssam 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 5NSCN militants was found by theAssam Rifles, a claim which was refuted by the NSCN.[2] The camp was then razed by the Sumi volunteers.[9]
On 31 December,NSCN-IM stated that the outfit had found 3 people,Sergeant Mapam Keishing,Corporal Mahori, andPrivate Ninoto guilty of the rape of 2 women at 21 December. Sgt. Keishing was awardedcapital punishment 2 days before the announcement, on 29 December.[2]
On 2 January 2014, theSumi 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 withNSCN-IM with immediate effect, and thus eliminating any taxation paid to theNSCN-IM.[7]
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.[7]
