Nagaland Firing : A Case Of Mistaken Identity, SIT Has Been Formed And Directed To Complete Probe In A Month – Amit Shah

Picture : Twitter / ANI

Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement on the Nagaland firing in both the houses of Parliament. Shah said , “Situation was monitored yesterday. MHA immediately sent Additional Secretary in-charge of the northeast to Kohima where he today held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, other senior officials and senior officials of the paramilitary forces.

“The situation was reviewed in detail. It has been decided that all agencies should ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not take place again in the future while taking up such drives.

“The government is monitoring the incident minutely and necessary remedial measured are being taken to ensure peace in the area.

“Current situation is tense but under control. On 5th December, Nagaland DGP and Commissioner visited the site. A FIR was registered and keeping the seriousness of the situation in mind, the probe was handed over to the State Crime Police Station.

“A SIT has been formed and has been directed to complete the probe within a month.”

“Army had received information on the movement of extremists in Oting. On that basis, 21 commandos laid an ambush in the suspected area. A vehicle reached there, it was signalled to stop, but it tried to flee. On suspicion that the vehicle was carrying extremists, it was fired upon.

“Six out of eight people in the vehicle died. It was later found to be a case of mistaken identity. Two others who were injured were taken to the nearest health centre by the army.

“After receiving news of this, local villagers surrounded the army unit, set two vehicles on fire and attacked them.

“As a result, one jawan died and many other jawans were injured. Security forces had to resort to firing for self-defence and to disperse the crowd. This caused the death of seven more civilians, while some others were injured. Local administration and police tried to bring the situation to normalcy.”

The Indian Army has expressed regret over the incident and said it is being investigated at the highest level.

A day after the civilian killings by security forces, the state government on Sunday prohibited all mobile internet, data services, bulk SMS of all providers in the entire area of Mon district with immediate effect.