In Parliament, Centre regrets killing of civilians in Nagaland

Locals during the funeral of the victims on Monday. Pic/PTI

The Centre on Monday expressed regret in Lok Sabha over the Nagaland firing incident that left 14 civilians dead and several injured. One soldier also died in the ensuing violence in Mon district of the state.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that a probe by a Special Investigation Team into the incident would be completed within a month and asserted that all agencies must ensure such happenings do not repeat during operations against insurgents.

Security forces opened fire on civilians in three instances, the first of which was a case of mistaken identity, the police said. The victims were coal mine workers who were returning home after work on December 4.

Elaborating on the sequence of events, Shah said the Army received a tip on the movement of insurgents in Nagaland's Mon. He said "a vehicle was signalled to stop but it tried to speed away. Suspecting the presence of extremists in the vehicle, the security personnel opened fire", he said.

Six of the eight occupants of the vehicle in the firing, Shah said, calling it a case of mistaken identity. Violence followed soon, resulting in the death of more civilians and a soldier.

AFSPA has blackened India's image: CM

Neiphiu Rio

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday called for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958, saying the "law has blackened the image of the country". "We are asking the central government to remove Afspa from Nagaland," said reports quoting Neiphiu Rio. The Nagaland chief minister also said he has spoken to Union home minister Amit Shah on his demand. "He is taking the matter very seriously. We have given financial assistance to affected families," said Rio.

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