An investigative team from the Indian Army will visit the site in Otin, Nagaland, where 14 civilians were killed in a failed counter-insurgency operation by the security forces. According to the news agency ANI, citing public relations officials from the Koshima Ministry of Defense, the team will visit the scene of the incident on December 29 and appear at the Tizit Police Station in Bangladesh on the same day.
“The Indian Army Investigation Team asked the general public for any major information related to the incident (not forwarded or from a secondary source). Anyone who has such information and wants to invalidate it before the investigation is required to do so at the Tizit Police Station ,” ANI quoted defense expert Kohima as saying.
Last week, the Indian army assured the people of Nagaland that while they continue to cooperate with the SIT investigation ordered by the state government, the investigation into the incident is proceeding rapidly.
The official statement read: “The investigation ordered by the Army is proceeding quickly and every effort is being made to end the investigation as soon as possible. We have issued a notice to let people come forward to assist us in the investigation.” It also fully cooperated with the special investigation team ordered by the state government ( SIT) investigate and share the required detailed information in a timely manner,” it added, assuring the public that actions will be taken in accordance with the law.
The killing of civilians by the Indian army has sparked a debate around the alleged abuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). On Sunday, the central government established a high-level committee to review the possibility of abolishing AFSPA in Nagaland. The expert team will submit a report within 45 days.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
