Defence Ministry denies prosecution of 30 Army men over failed Op

New Delhi: The Department of Military Affairs under the Ministry of Defence has denied sanction to prosecute 30 army personnel involved in a botched counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland in December 2021.

According to the state police, 14 young men killed in the operation. On December 4, 2021, the 21 Para Special Force of Indian Army first opened fire at a pick-up van carrying coal miners from Tiru to Oting village in Mon district, killing six on board.

Army personnel had apparently mistaken the civilian workers for insurgents. This caused a crowd of protestors set the Army vehicles ablaze. The soldiers opened fire again and killed another killing seven civilians.

An SIT headed by the Nagaland police chief investigated the firing in Nagaland's Mon district, and submitted names of 30 personnel of 21 Para Special Forces in its charge sheet.

The charges against them included murder, attempt to murder and destruction of evidence. The SIT also said the miners were "shot with a clear intention to kill".

On March 24, 2022, the SIT sought the Union Defence Ministry's sanction to prosecute the army men.

As per Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the legal sanction from the Ministry of Defence is necessary to initiate any action against security forces for their actions.

"The competent authority (Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of India) has conveyed its denial to accord sanction for prosecution against all 30 accused," The Union Defence Ministry's denial of sanction has been conveyed to a court.

To investigate the incident, the Army also set up an independent Court of Inquiry, assuring action against anyone found guilty.

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