The state government constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IGP (R) Limasunep Jamir (IPS) is to cross-examine and record the statements of those involved in the Oting massacre over a period of two days.
Highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post that the interrogation will be held at Jorhat, where the 21 Para special forces are stationed. According to the sources, the Indian Army has permitted the SIT to examine and record the statements of officer(s) and jawans of the 21 Para (SF) commandos involved in the December 4 ambush at Oting,where 13 innocent civilians were gunned down.
Though the State government had initially constituted a five-member SIT on December 5, it later expanded the team by including at least 17 other members, taking its strength to around 22. This has been done so in order to speed up the investigation. The SIT has also been divided into seven teams.
As the 30-day deadline to submit its report is to end on January 5, 2022, sources said that the SIT was trying its best to complete its job within the time-frame. However, earlier, an official said the job may not be completed within 30 days as police have to file charge sheet within 90 days in the court. The official said the SIT had so far examined 55-60 witnesses and would examine more people.
“We have taken the help of cyber, forensic and ballistics experts from all over the country,” the official said. “We are conducting the investigation in a very professional, serious and sincere manner,” he added.