Indian Tribal News Service
New Delhi/Guwahati
More than three weeks since the tragic killing of civilians by security forces due to alleged ‘mistaken identity’ in tribal-dominated Mon district of Nagaland, the Army has agreed to provide access to the State’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) to record and examine the statements of its troops, involved in the incidents of firing on December 4 and 5.
While eight civilians were killed in the botched anti-terrorist operation, six others lost their lives in subsequent incidents of firing by the forces after they responded following an attack on their camp by angry villagers. One soldier was killed in the subsequent attack.
“From day one, the Indian Army had assured the authorities on extending support and cooperation for the investigations into the incidents which took place on December 4,” news agencies quoted unnamed sources.
The SIT reached Oting village where the incident took place for forensic details and also held meeting with Konyak Union and Konyak Students Union along with relatives of the deceased and village representatives.
The Army has also instituted a Court of Inquiry, headed by a Major General rank officer. “The Army Inquiry Team will visit the incident site on December 29. The team will also be present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District on the same day,” PRO Kohima, Ministry of Defence had tweeted on Monday.
“We have taken out notices for people to come forward and assist us in the inquiry by providing any information including videos, photos or any other material from original sources and will be grateful for the same. This can be conveyed on WhatsApp Messenger at +916026930283 or Army Exchange Helpline +913742388456”, the Army has said in a statement.
With the Nagaland Assembly passing a resolution for removal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and vociferous demands for it from people across the State, the Centre on Sunday (December 27) instituted a five-member committee chaired by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Vivek Joshi with Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry as its Member-Secretary. The Chief Secretary and DGP of Nagaland and the DGP of Assam Rifles will be the other members of the committee, they said. The committee will submit its report within 45 days.
Earlier, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton and Naga People’s Front Legislature Party leader TR Zeliang said the decision to set up the committee was taken in a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 23. Convened to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland, the meeting was also attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
