Form of words:
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha on Monday that the killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland was a case of “misidentification” and that all agencies “should ensure that such an unfortunate incident does not recur while fighting militancy”.
Shah said the deaths were “deeply sorry” and the government expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. On 4th and 5th December in Mon district of Nagaland.
However, the home minister said that after the first incident, when six civilians were killed in an ambush by security forces, an angry mob of locals gathered and started attacking the security personnel, after which they were called “mob Had to fire to disperse and defend. Self”.
A total of six civilians were killed in an ambush in Mon district on Saturday evening, which was followed by a mob attack on an army camp, killing seven more civilians. The army has said that one of its jawans also lost his life. Another civilian was killed on 5 December.
Read also: Five-member Trinamool Congress delegation to visit Nagaland after civilian killings
‘Vehicle tried to escape’
Saturday’s incident took place when a group of laborers were returning from a coal mine near Oting village. Mon is the easternmost district of Nagaland and is dominated by Konyak tribe.
,On the basis of information received about the movement of insurgents in the area, a unit of 21 Para Commandos launched an ambush. When a vehicle from an ambush reached the spot, it was signaled to stop. But he did not stop and tried to run away. That’s when the security forces suspected that there might be rebels inside. On this suspicion, they opened fire and out of the eight people in the vehicle, six died,” Shah told the Lok Sabha.
,It was later revealed that it was a case of mistaken identity. While six people died, the other two injured were then taken to the hospital by security personnel,” Shah said.
Shah said that after the news of civilian casualties spread, people from nearby villages “surrounded forces, torched and attacked two vehicles, killing one jawan and injuring several others”. ” In order to disperse the crowd and defend himself, Shah claimed, the forces had to “fire” again.
,Because of this, seven more people died and others were injured,” Shah said.
On December 5, Shah said, more than 250 people gathered in front of the Assam Rifle Operating Base and tried to “sabotage the building”.
,The mob ransacked the property and also set an employee’s house on fire. In order to disperse the crowd, the security forces opened fire and another person (civilian) died,” Shah said.
,More forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any further untoward incident.”
‘Situation remains tense, being monitored’
Shah also told the Lok Sabha that though the situation in Nagaland remained tense, it was “under control”.
He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident and a report has been asked to be submitted within a month.
,Senior officials have visited the spot, a case has been registered and a thorough investigation has been initiated into the incident. An SIT has also been formed in this regard, which has been asked to complete the investigation in a month and file a report.
Shah said that as soon as he got the news of the incident, he immediately contacted the Governor and Chief Minister of Nagaland. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also contacted the Chief Secretary and DGP of Nagaland and monitored the situation throughout the day on 5 December.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has also posted the Additional Secretary in charge of Northeast to Kohima, where he held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the Nagaland government and paramilitary forces on Monday morning.
,The situation was reviewed in detail to ensure that normalcy is restored at the earliest. The Government is keeping a close watch on the emerging situation and necessary measures are being taken as per the need to ensure peace and tranquility. State authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in the affected areas as a precautionary measure.
‘Deeply regret the killings of civilians’
Shah said he was “deeply sorry” over the killings of civilians. ,The Government of India deeply regrets this unfortunate incident in Nagaland and extends its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
,Headquarters 3 Corps, Army has issued a press statement in which they deeply regret the incident and its aftermath, which resulted in the unfortunate killing of innocent civilians. It further mentioned that the cause of the unfortunate loss of life is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per law,” Shah said.
(Edited by Saikat Niyogi)
Read also: Nagaland’s Hornbill festival canceled for a day after civilian killings
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