Nagaland Civilian Killings: State Police files chargesheet against 30 Army personnel

Nagaland Police have charged 30 troops from the 21 Para Special Force, including an officer, in the bungled army operation that murdered 13 civilians in the Oting area of Mon district in December last year.

A case has been filed against 30 troops from 21 Para Special Forces, including a Major, under sections 120(B), 302, 307, 326, 201, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, Nagaland police chief T John Longkumer informed the media during a press conference yesterday. On May 30, Assistant Public Prosecutor filed the charge sheet in the District and Sessions Court, Mon district.

Following the event, a case was filed at Tizit police station, and a separate case was filed at State Crime Police Station under various sections of the IPC against unknown army soldiers. SIT was entrusted with the investigation.

The CID report seeking sanction for prosecution was sent to the Department of Military Affairs in the first week of April 2022, according to Longkumer, with the remainder sent last month.

In a case of mistaken identity, troops from the 21 Para Special Forces army unit opened fire in Mon district on December 4, 2021.

The soldiers of 21 Para Special Forces “didn’t follow conventional operation protocols,” according to the DGP.

The violent episodes in Mon district on December 4 and 5 last year killed fourteen civilians and one soldier from the 21 Para Special Forces, according to the Nagaland police chief.

The SIT questioned and videotaped the officer and jawans of the 21st Parachute Special Forces who were allegedly involved in the event.

DGP further added “According to the SIT, the jawans did not follow normal operating procedures or engagement guidelines. Villagers were killed as a result of their disproportionate fire.”