North East

NHRC issues notice to Centre, Nagaland govt over Army Para Commandos operation in Nagaland

Pema Khandu condoles deaths; Arunachal NPP calls for repealing AFSPA

New Delhi/Itanagar, Dec 6 (UNI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notice to the Centre and the Nagaland government over the reported operation against militants by Army Para Commandos resulting in the deaths of civilians.

In a statement here, the Commission said it has issued notices to the Union Defence Secretary, Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Nagaland, calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.

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The commission observed that it was incumbent upon the security forces to ensure proper precaution with a humane approach, even if it involved the militants.

The report was expected to include the status of the inquiry being conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), relief granted to the Next of Kin (NOK) of the deceased, status of the medical treatment being provided to the injured and the cases registered against the persons, officers responsible for the incident.

NHRC issued notices, after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports on the killing of civilians when their vehicle was fired upon in an alleged botched up operation by the Army Para Commandos, lying in wait for militants in Mon district of Nagaland on the night of December 4.

This triggered several incidents of arson, rioting and attack on soldiers and Assam Rifles camp, resulting in more injuries and deaths, including that of one soldier.

According to the media reports, carried on December 6, the state government has reportedly constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a probe into the matter.

The Army has also instituted a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances that led to the tragic outcome of what was to be an operation targeting the alleged militants.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu condoled the death of civilians in the ‘unfortunate’ incident that happened at Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland on Saturday last.

He also prayed for speedy recovery of those injured in the incident and appealed to all to maintain peace.

Taking to his twitter handle, Khandu wrote: “My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased who lost their lives in an unfortunate incident at Oting village in Mon district of Nagaland. Prayers for speedy recovery of those injured and appeal all to maintain peace.”

The Arunachal Pradesh unit of National People’s Party (NPP) condemned the Oting village incident and demanded repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 in the Northeast region.

“The recent incident of ambush by security forces leading to a massacre of 13 innocent unarmed civilians near Oting village in Mon district in Nagaland, paints an atrocious heart-breaking picture. This is a stark reminder of how armed forces have with impunity misused AFSPA as a repressive tool to enforce in a reign of systemic widespread terror on citizens of NE disrupting every peace process. AFSPA must be repealed,” Arunachal Pradesh NPP president Mutchu Mithi said in a statement here.

“We condemn this tragic incident and demand that perpetrators must be brought to justice immediately. In this hour of tragedy, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their precious lives and stand in solidarity with the people of Nagaland,” the party said.

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