Terming the incident as “highly regrettable” in Nagaland last month in which 14 civilians were killed, Army chief General MM Naravane said here on Wednesday law of the land will prevail. He also said the Court of Inquiry is likely to submit its findings in the next two or three days.
A Major General is heading the Inquiry team asked to probe into all the aspects leading to the incident on December 4 in Mon district. In a case of “mistaken identity,” the Army allegedly killed some civilians travelling in a mini-bus.
Irate village folks then clashed with the Army team leading to the death of a soldier and the Army reportedly opening fire killing some more civilians. In all, 14 civilians died in the incident leading to mass unrest in the state.
The state government immediately set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising high police officials. They recently questioned nearly 30 elite commandos of the army reportedly involved in the ambush which reportedly resulted in the killing of civilians.
Naravane said "appropriate action", as required to uphold the law of the land, will be taken based on the investigation. He said the Army has standard operating procedures (SOPs) that encapsulate its operational experience and "appropriate action" will be taken and corrective measures instituted to further refine the SOPs based on the outcome of the investigation.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Eastern Command was quick inordering an inquiry. It is headed by a Major General. That inquiryis in its final stages and the findings would be submitted in a day or two, Naravane said.
The Chief also said the force has been cooperating fully with the SIT and both the probe teams are taking the statements from a cross-section of people that will help in having a greater understanding of what has happened.
"Based on the findings of the inquiry, appropriate action will be taken. I would like to clarify that the law of the land is paramount and we will always uphold that and take action as required in upholding the law of the land," he said.
On overall security in the North-East, Naravane said the situation remained under control, noting that a robust security posture has significantly curtailed the operational space for terrorists.
Referring to insurgents ambushing an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur district of Manipur in November last year killing a Commanding Officer, he said one incident is not reflective of the overall situation in the North-Eastern region. The Army Chief said gradual de-induction of the Army units has taken place from areas where the security situation has improved.