Nagaland civilian killings: Today, an Army investigation team will examine the scene

On Wednesday, an Indian Army inquiry team will visit the incident site in the Mon district, which has been investigating the December 4 Nagaland fire incident.

"In reference to Indian Army inquiry into December 4 incident at Oting, Nagaland, the Army Inquiry Team will visit the incident site on December 29. The team will also be present at Tizit Police Station, Mon District on the same day," public relations officer (PRO) Kohima, ministry of defense tweeted on Monday.

The investigation team has asked the general public for any original information about the shooting incident that has not been forwarded or obtained from a secondary source.

On December 4, at least 13 civilians were killed by the Army's 21 Para Special Forces (SF) in a bungled counter-insurgency operation in the region. Six civilians were killed when an SF unit mistaken coal mine workers heading home in a pick-up van for members of the terrorist organisation NSCN (K).

Villagers and neighbours began searching for these coal mine workers after they failed to return, and Army trucks were surrounded. The military opened fire on the protesting citizens, killing seven of them. One Army jawan was killed.

According to the Nagaland Police's FIR against the 21 Para SF unit, the firing was carried out without provocation with the intent of injuring and killing civilians.

"On reaching at Langkhao between Upper Tiru and Oting village, security forces fired at the vehicle without any provocation, resulting to the killing of many Oting villagers and seriously injured many others," the FIR lodged at the Tizit police station read.

A special investigative team (SIT) has been created by the state government to look into the occurrence.

Meanwhile, the Army expressed regret for the deaths of civilians in the Mon district and stressed that an inquiry into the incident was underway.

"The inquiry ordered by Army is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest. We have taken out notices for people to come forward and assist us in the inquiry," the Army said in an official statement on December 25.

The Army further stated that it is completely collaborating with the Nagaland government's SIT and that all essential details are being supplied on time.