New Delhi: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio denounced the death of people between Oting and Tiru villages in Mon district on Sunday, claiming that at least six civilians were killed and two were wounded. A high-level SIT will examine the incident, and justice will be served in accordance with the law of the land.
He appealed for calm as he described the "unfortunate incident" that resulted in the "death of civilians" in the area.
Neiphiu Rio on his official Twitter handle writes, "The unfortunate incident leading to the killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured. High-level SIT will investigate & justice delivered as per the law of the land. Appeal for peace from all sections."
While expressing condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Anguished over an unfortunate incident in Nagaland’s Oting, Mon. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families."
According to sources, the casualties included daily wagers who were returning from Tiru in a pick-up truck that purportedly came under fire from army forces engaged in an anti-terror operation.
After receiving information on the movement of a faction of the NSCN (K), the army apparently launched an operation that resulted in an encounter, with the vehicle carrying the daily wagers becoming caught in the middle.