'Case of mistaken identity,' says Amit Shah on Nagaland firing

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• Dec 6, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave his statement on the Nagaland firing incident in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today. He stated that the case was of the mistaken identity as Army had received information on the movement of extremists in Oting, in Mon district. The firing occurred on suspicion of the vehicle carrying extremists on it. 

Shah stated, "Army had got information on the movement of extremists in Oting, in Mon district. On that basis, 21 commandos set an ambush in the suspected area. A vehicle arrived there, it was signaled to stop, but it tried to flee. On suspicion of the vehicle carrying extremists, it was fired upon."

He further added, "6 out of the 8 people in the vehicle died. It was later discovered to be a case of mistaken identity. Two injured were taken to the health center by the Army. After getting news of this, local villagers encircled the Army unit, set 2 vehicles on fire, and attacked them."

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Shah continued that one jawan of the defense forces died as a consequence. Several other jawans were wounded. 

Security troops had to resort to shooting for self-defense and separate the crowd. This caused the death of 7 more civilians, some others wounded. Local administration-Police tried to bring the condition to normalcy.

"The current condition is tense but under control. On 5th Dec, Nagaland DGP and Commissioner visited the site. FIR has been registered and keeping seriousness in mind. A probe has been handed over to State Crime Police Station. The SIT has been constituted and has been directed to complete the probe within a month," the Home Minister stated.

The Indian Army has expressed regret over the incident and stated it is being reviewed at the highest level. Shah expressed distress over the occurrence and conveyed condolences to bereaved families on Sunday.