New Delhi: After two civilians were injured during a botched army firing in Arunachal Pradesh, the Army Major commanding the unit came ahead and took responsibility for the incident.
In a video shared on Twitter by retired Army General Satish Dua, the Indian Army officer could be seen negotiating with locals, owning responsibility for the incident. The officer could be heard saying that he is ready to put his signature as testimony in the FIR that would be lodged in connection with the case.
Watch the video here
Two civilians in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district were injured in an army firing for “mistaken identity” on Friday, said the authorities, reported the Indian Express. The situation was “slightly tense” in the area, the officials said, quoted the publication adding that villagers decided not to press charges after a meeting was held.
The two injured were identified as Nokphya Wangdan (28) and Ramwang Wangsu (23).
Quoting Tirap DC Taro Mize, the Indian Express reported that the incident took place when four youths were returning home after fishing on Friday evening after sunset. “The visibility was not clear, and the Army shot at them mistaking them for insurgents,” Mize said further.
The injured youths were evacuated and were undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital, the above mentioned report stated.
The incident comes days after the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was extended in Arunachal Pradesh even though the number of disturbed areas under it was reduced in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland.
A similar incident happened four months ago in Nagalnad’s Oting village in Mon district where six civilians were shot by the security personnel in a botched operation.