New Delhi, Sept 17: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed criminal charges against Army personnel involved in the deaths of 13 civilians during a failed operation in Nagaland’s Mon district in December 2021. The court ruled that the criminal cases based on the FIRs would be closed unless the government grants permission to continue with further prosecution.
In its decision, the court stated,“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.” This leaves the door open for prosecution if the government approves, while also allowing for internal disciplinary actions within the Armed Forces.
The tragic incident unfolded on December 4, 2021, when an Army unit mistakenly opened fire on a truck carrying coal miners in Oting village, believing them to be militants. Six civilians were killed in the initial attack. The violence escalated as unrest spread, and security forces reportedly opened fire again during the chaos, leading to the deaths of seven more civilians.
The killings triggered anger across Nagaland, sparking debates over military accountability, especially in states governed by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The incident raised significant concerns about the safety of civilians during military operations in insurgency-prone areas.
Multiple FIRs were filed after the incident, bringing the case to the Supreme Court. However, the latest ruling dismisses the criminal proceedings against the Army personnel, barring further action unless government sanction is provided.
