After Home Minister’s statement on the issue of unrest over Nagaland civilian killings, opposition MPs walkout in protest. Death toll of civilians from the incident has risen to 15.
TFM Desk
The government of India has expressed regret over the killing of 14 civilians along Tiru-Oting road in Nagaland and also offered “deepest condolences” to the families of those who have lost their lives.
Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident. The team will submit the report in 30 days.
He said that the army had received information on the movement of insurgents near Tiru village in Tizit area of Mon district. A team of 21 Para-commandos of Indian Army laid an ambush in the evening of December 4. “During the ambush, a vehicle approached the location and it was signaled to stop. However, the vehicle tried to flee, following which the vehicle, suspected of carrying insurgents, was fired upon resulting in killing of 6 out of 8 persons travelling in the vehicle. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. The two persons who sustained injuries were evacuated to the medical facilities by the Army personnel”.
According to the Union Home Minister, upon receiving the news, local villagers surrounded the Army team, burnt two vehicles and assaulted them resulting in death of one Security Force (SF) personnel and injuries to several others. To disperse the crowd, the security forces opened fire which resulted in killing of seven more civilians and injuring some others, he said.
Amit Shah said that the local administration and Police have tried to diffuse the situation, which remains tense but under control.
The Director General of Police (DGP), Nagaland and Commissioner, Nagaland visited the spot the next day and an FIR was registered on the incident in Tizit Police Station and considering the complexity of the case it has been transferred to the State Crime Police Station (SCPS) and a Special Investigation Team has been constituted. The team has been directed to complete the investigation within a month, the Union Home Minister said.
The home minister added that the Government is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation and necessary measures are being taken as per requirement to ensure peace and tranquility in the region. The state authorities, as a precautionary measures, have promulgated prohibitory orders in the affected areas.