News Analysis India

Tag: Nagaland SIT

  • Army allows Nagaland SIT to question jawans for civilian killings

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Nagaland government-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) will question the Army personnel who were involved in the December 4 killing of civilians during and after a botched ambush at Oting in the state’s Mon district.

    A senior Nagaland Police official confirmed on Wednesday that the Army had granted access to the SIT to quiz the personnel.

    However, it was not clear if the personnel will be questioned face to face or they will give written replies to queries from the SIT. Nagaland government sources said face to face questioning was more likely.

    Meanwhile, an Army team probing the incident visited places in Mon, including the site of the ambush, on Wednesday. The team was led by a Major General who is heading the probe.

    The Konyak (tribe) civil society organisations had earlier asked the personnel to not come in uniform or with arms “for their safety as the sight of uniform and weapons might provoke the villagers”.

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    A Nagaland government source said the personnel had “cooperated with the demand of the civil societies”. They were reportedly provided security by the state police.

    In a statement, the Army’s 3 Corps headquarters based in Nagaland’s Dimapur said the Court of Inquiry, instituted by the Army to investigate the incident, visited the site of the incident.

    “The inquiry team, headed by a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened,” the statement said.

    “The team also took along the witnesses for better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded,” it added.

    Later, the team visited the Tizit police station to meet cross-sections of the society, including civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated the injured, for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident, the statement said.

    Earlier, the Army had requested people to share any information pertaining to the incident directly by being present before the inquiry team at Tizit police station. It had also shared a WhatsApp number so that people could share firsthand photos or videos related to the incident.

    “As per the Indian Army, the Court of Inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest,” the statement added.

  • Nagaland civilian killings: SIT unlikely to finish inquiry by January 5

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI:  It appears unlikely that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the December 4 killing of 14 civilians by Indian Army in a botched ambush at Oting in Nagaland’s Mon district, can complete the investigation on time.

    It was given a month by the Nagaland government to complete the probe. The deadline expires on January 5. A senior Nagaland Police official privy to the investigation virtually ruled out the possibility, stating that the police get 90 days to file a charge sheet in court. He cited the gamut of the probe, pointing at the involvement of various stake-holders at different levels.

    The state government has already expanded the SIT that was formed with five officers on December 5. Around 16 or 17 others were co-opted in due course, taking its strength to 21-22. The team includes five IPS officers, the official said.

    An undated order, issued by Addl DGP (Law and Order) Sandeep M Tamgadge, said that the officers co-opted would work under a team. The SIT has so far examined 55-60 witnesses and will examine more people.

    “We have taken help of cyber, forensic and ballistics experts from all over the country. We are conducting the investigation in a very professional, serious and sincere manner,” the official said. Members of a National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology team aiding the SIT are examining data including videos and photographs related to the tragic incident, sources said.

    Meanwhile, an Army team probing the incident is scheduled to visit Oting on Wednesday. However, the Konyak (tribe) civil society organisations made it clear that the personnel should not come in uniform or with arms. As such, Nagaland Police will escort the team, the sources said.

    On December 10, the Konyak organisations had served a 30-day ultimatum demanding that those involved in the killings of civillians be booked and the action taken report brought in public domain.