Home Minister Amit Shah termed the killing of six of the eight occupants of a vehicle in Nagaland suspected to be carrying rebels as a case of mistaken identity. Eight more locals died as Army and Central armed police force Assam Rifles fired in “self defence” to disperse the agitated mob that had attacked them in retaliation of the killing, Shah said.
“An army jawan was killed and several others were also injured in the mob attack,” Home Minister told the parliament on Monday as members demanded a statement from the government on the horrific incident.
“The government expresses regret over the incident and offers condolence to members of the bereaved family,” he said.
Shah said the government was closely monitoring the situation, which he termed was tense but under control. “Additional forces have been rushed to the area to prevent any untoward incident.”
The first incident took place on December 4 when a team of 21 Para Commandos had a laid ambush following information about the movement of suspected terrorists.
“A vehicle came close to the ambush site. It was was signalled to stop, instead it sped off. On suspicion that the vehicle carried suspected rebels, the vehicle was fired at. Six out of the eight occupants of the vehicle were killed,” Shah said.
“It was a case of mistaken identity.”
Two injured were then rushed to nearby health centre. As the news of the incident spread, locals gehraoed the Army men, burnt two vehicles. In this, one Army man was killed and many injured. As the Army men fired in self-defence and to disperse the mob, seven more people died and several were injured,” Shah said.
Senior police and civil administration officers rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control, the next day. An FIR was registered and investigation was handed to the local police. A special investigation team has also been set up to probe the incident and submit its report in one month, the home minister said.
The same evening of December 5, a mob of 250 persons attacked the operating base of Assam Rifles in Mon city. As the crowd vandalised the property, the Assam Rifles personnel fired in self defence in which one more person died.
“We have put more forces there to prevent any more untoward incident,” said Shah. “I spoke to the state governor and the chief minister to take stock of the situation.”
Shah said the Army's 3rd Corps has expressed deep regret on the unfortunate incident. They assured investigation at the highest level and suitable action taken.
Efforts are under way to bring normalcy to the area. The home minister said all agencies have also been instructed that in future during any such operation against the rebels, enough caution is to be exercised to prevent the repeat of such an incident.
