Nagaland Firing 'Regrettable' Says Army Chief, Promises Action Based On Probe Outcome

A day after Naga civil society organisations demanded that the Nagaland government make public the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by it to probe into the killing of civilians by security forces in Mon district last month, Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday said that it is being thoroughly investigated and also assured of "appropriate action" based on the outcome of the investigation.

He also termed the firing that resulted in the death of 14 civilians as 'regrettable'.

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"The regrettable incident that occurred in Oting, Nagaland on December 4 is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations," the Army Chief said.

"We have SOPs that encapsulate our operational experience, which have stood the test of time. Appropriate action will be taken and corrective measures instituted to further refine our SOPs, based on the outcome of the investigation," he added.

SIT set up

Following the killing of 14 civilians by army para-commandos in Oting area in a botched up operation and its aftermath, the state government set up the SIT and asked it to submit its report within 30 days that ended on January 5.

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Last month, the army had said that it will allow the SIT to record statements of the troops involved in the incidents.

The army had also constituted a court of inquiry headed by an officer of major general rank into the firing incident.

What happened on December 4?

The firing on December 4 by personnel of 21 para-commandos on a vehicle carrying villagers was the deadliest incident in the northeast in a long time.

The army had claimed that they were carrying out an anti-militancy operation based on credible inputs.

However, in the botched-up operation, eight civilians were killed and angered villagers attacked the security personnel, resulting in more deaths.

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Following the civilian deaths, Nagaland and other Northeastern states witnessed massive protests demanding the repeal of AFSPA.

Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Meghalaya had also called for the repeal of AFSPA in the wake of the civilian killings.

AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act) allows the security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without a prior warrant is in force in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area) and some districts of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Assam.

Under pressure, the Central government had last month formed a seven-member committee to suggest withdrawal of the act from Nagaland.

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