Nagaland civilian killings: SC dismisses charges against Army officers
- In Reports
- 07:36 PM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed criminal charges against Army personnel who were involved in the botched counter-insurgency operation that led to the killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland's Mon district in 2021.
In its decision, the apex court clarified that quashing criminal charges does not bar the Army from taking its own disciplinary actions against the personnel involved. Quashing the charges, the court said, “The proceedings in the impugned FIRs shall stand closed. However, if sanction is granted, it may be taken to its logical conclusion. On disciplinary action, we have said the Armed Forces can do the needful.”
The Supreme Court issued a notice on a plea by the Nagaland government on July 17 against the Centre's refusal to grant sanction to prosecute the 30 Army personnel for the death of the civilians.
The Nagaland government had accused the Centre of denying permission to prosecute Army personnel despite there being enough evidence against them. A sanction from the Centre is required to prosecute the Army personnel working in areas where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in force, as is under the rules. A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud gave the central government six weeks to respond to this.
An Army team contingent in Oting village, Nagaland, on 4 December 2021, fired at a truck carrying miners believing them to be militants. In the incident, six civilians were killed. Subsequently, violence erupted in the region and security forces are said to have opened fire once again killing eight more civilians. During the disturbances, one Army personnel was also killed as over 250 people attempted to storm an Assam Rifles base.
In the midst of a great uproar and with opposition pressure, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke in the Lok Sabha terming it a case of "mistaken identity".
Image source: India Today
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