Home Minister Amit Shah gave a statement in the Lok Sabha over a recent altercation at the Nagaland border that saw civilians being mistakenly killed by security forces. Around a dozen locals and one jawan were reportedly killed in Mon district’s Oting village during Saturday’s clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also held meetings with top ministers in Parliament to discuss various issues including the Nagaland firing incident today.
“Army had received info on the movement of extremists in Oting, Mon. 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 of the vehicle carrying extremists, it was fired upon,” the Home Minister said in the Lok Sabha. It was only later discovered to be a case of mistaken identity.
Six out of the eight people in the vehicle had died, while two others were taken to the nearest health centre by the Army after suffering injuries. “After receiving news of this, local villagers surrounded the Army unit, set two vehicles on fire and attacked them,” Shah added.
Shah also said that he had spoken to top officials of Nagaland and added that the Centre deeply regretted the incident. While tense, the situation in Nagaland remains under control.
According to reports, the security personnel had opened fire on some Naga youths after suspecting them to be terrorists. Irked villagers had also torched the vehicles of security forces. Some people were reportedly shot when security forces opened fire to control the mob. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has since ordered a high-level probe into the reported killings of civilians by security forces.
On Monday morning, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio attended the funeral service for the slain civilians. “I’ve spoken to Union Home Minister, he is taking the matter very seriously. We’ve given financial assistance to affected families,” he said. Rio said that they were asking the Central government to remove AFSPA from Nagaland.
Earlier on Sunday, Shah had expressed anguish over the incident, condoling the deaths. “I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families,” the Home Minister had tweeted.
Opposition leaders have clamoured for a statement from Shah on the Nagaland firing since Parliament convened on Monday morning. Several Opposition MPs have also moved notices in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to discuss the incident. Amidst Opposition demand for the Home Minister’s statement, the Rajya Sabha had been adjourned till 2 pm.
