Thanks for the quote. While the loss of life is always sad, a state reserves the right to retaliate against any secessionist movement. And when this happens, the collateral damage may also take place. Sad but that’s how it is.
For example, while dealing with the secessionist movement in Balochistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), PA was accused of many atrocities, lots of people lost their lives and some simply disappeared.
Not trying to justify anything, but the point is, THIS IS WHAT IS EXPECTED in real world. No country gonna leave its territory just because some bunch of idiots picked up arms. Things will get ugly eventually.