Special Investigating Team (SIT), which was constituted by the state government to probe into the December 4, 2021 Oting massacre that claimed the lives of 13 innocent civilians, has completed its investigation and charge-sheeted 30 personnel including a Major belonging to 21 Para (Special Forces).
Addressing a press conference at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex Chümoukedima on Saturday, the Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, T John Longkumer, stated that while the charge sheet has been filed, prosecution sanction against the 30 accused was still awaited.
21 Para Op team did not follow SOP: As per the investigation, DGP said that the operation team of 21 Para SF did not follow the Standard Operating Procedure and Rules of Engagement.
The investigation revealed that Alpha team of 21 Para SF launched an operation in Oting Tiru area on December 3, 2021 based on the intelligence input about the presence of a group of NSCN K-YA and ULFA cadres in the area. On December 4, 2021, the probe found that the operation team, which laid an ambush at Longkhao between Upper Tiru and Oting village, opened fire at a white Bolero pick up, which was carrying eight civilians belonging to Oting village, most of whom were working as labourers in the coal mines at Tiru, without ensuring positive identification and failing to carry out challenging procedure.
The probe also revealed that the operation team consisting of 30 personnel led by a major rank officer, two Subedar, eight Hav/THM, four Nk, six L/Nk and nine paratroopers, resorted to indiscriminate and disproportionate fire leading to the immediate killing of six occupants of the vehicle on the spot and grievously injuring two persons.
Further, the investigation found that when villagers of Oting and Tiru reached the incident spot in search of the missing villagers and bolero pick up at around 9 p.m., the villagers turned violent on discovering the dead bodies and scuffle ensued between the villagers and the Op team. As a result of the scuffle, the probe revealed that one paratrooper succumbed to injuries and 14 personnel sustained injuries, leading the Major to give order to open fire and Op team started to break contact.
Asked whether the 30 charge sheeted personnel were suspended throughout the course of investigation, the Additional DG (law and order), Sandeep Tamgadge, said that the word “suspension” was basically applicable to civil servants service conduct, adding that he was not aware if the same word was used in the Army.
He, however, said that the 30 accused during the investigation period were not attending office, but was attached to the court of inquiry. The ADGP said that the chargesheet was with the competent authority.
Responding to a query if the Assam Rifles camp at Mon was vacated, ADGP said they had not completely vacated the camp, but thinned out, adding that they would not be in operation like before.
Meanwhile, DGP said that the charge sheet was submitted to the District and Session Court, Mon, on May 30, through additional public prosecutor (APP).
Accordingly, the DGP said that CID report seeking sanction for prosecution was forwarded to the department of Military Affairs in the first week of April 2022 and also a reminder letter in May.
DGP further revealed that a separate FIR in crime was registered by Tizit Police Station on December 11, 2021 against unknown persons to investigate into the death of one paratrooper and assault on other personnel and loss of government property, based on the complaint filed by 21 Para SF.
“Since offence has occurred and law is equal for all, the investigation, after government ordered constitution of the SIT, was completed and report submitted to the competent court,” Longkumer stated.
He, however, added that the Indian Army has been doing tremendous and outstanding work in protecting the integrity of the nation from both external and internal threats in the national security, especially in border areas, including Mon. DGP said that the investigation into the unfortunate Oting incident was in no way a new reflection on the professionalism of the Indian Army.
Lifting of AFSPA: On the relaxation of AFSPA in some parts of Nagaland, DGP informed that a Special Operation Group (SOG) was immediately formed after partial removal of AFSPA to take over the security of the state from Assam Rifles. So far, he said that all reports from lifted areas were normal. DGP said that the state police were very much on alert and have reached out to various NGOs and tribal Hohos to maintain peace and tranquillity in the lifted areas.
Removal of check gates: Asked about the reports of complaints by traders and truckers that they were receiving phone calls to pay tax after removal of check gates, DGP maintained that 24 complaints had been received through calls, adding that appropriate actions were taken.
War on drugs and psychotropic substances: DGP informed that the state police had launched war on drugs and psychotropic substances in 2021. He said that the movement against drug trafficking was in consonance with the Government of India’s Act East Policy to make the North East region “Drug Free”.
He further expressed happiness on the support the police were receiving from many NGOs in its fight against drugs.
Asked if the removal of check gates would hamper the movement, the DGP said that the war on drugs was much dependent on intelligence and complains.