On December 4, some daily-wage labourers were returning home in a pick-up van when the vehicle was allegedly fired upon by army personnel, who were conducting an operation in the area after receiving inputs on the movement of militants of Yung Aung faction of proscribed outfit NSCN (K).
The incident took place between Oting and Tiru villages on Saturday evening.
Reports suggest that at least 13 civilians were gunned down by the security forces. The exact number of fatalities, and whether they died on the spot is yet to be ascertained, a police official told TOI.
It is also being investigated if it was a case of mistaken identity.
The Tizit police today registered a suo moto case against 21st Para (SF) in connection to the incident. The case was registered with charges of murder, an attempt to murder, and carrying out an act in a group with a common intention.
The FIR states that at the time of the incident there was no police guide nor security force made any requisition to the police station to provide a police guide for their operation.
"Hence it is obvious that the intention of the security force is to murder and injure civilians," stated the FIR.
The army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the civilian killings.
"The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated by a Court of Inquiry at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law," it said in a statement.
Army officials added that the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence inputs about the likely movement of insurgents in the area.
On December 5, the Army confirmed that one of its personnel was killed and several others were injured in the incident.
The Associated Press reported angry villagers burned army vehicles in protest after the incident. It reported citing an army officer as saying as irate villagers burned two army vehicles, the soldiers fired at them, killing seven more people.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the incident and promised a high-level probe as he appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace.
"The unfortunate incident leading to the killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured,” the chief minister tweeted.
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