Judicial probe into Arunachal Pradesh Army firing

GUWAHATI: A day after one villager was killed and several others were injured in a crossfire between Army personnel and suspected NSCN (I-M) rebels at Pumau village in Longding district, the Arunachal Pradesh government ordered a judicial inquiry into the firing by 19th Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army.
Official sources said that that the inquiry will be carried out by the first class judicial magistrate of Longding and a report submitted within 15 days.
Meanwhile, the North East Human Rights Organization (NEHRO) has lodged a complaint of human rights violation by the 19th Sikh Regiment personnel. The complaint by NEHRO secretary Buteng Tayeng states, "In a barbaric incident here in Longding, one civilian was shot death and several others injured in a firing by Indian Army at Pumao village on Saturday. The commotion broke up when the peaceful meeting between the villagers and 19th BN Sikh Regiment of Indian Army following the incident in which one Jimpo Wangow was allegedly beaten up for no reason by the Army personnel turned chaotic."
The complaint adds, "The Army personnel who had no sufficient reason to explain in their defence tried to move out from the village amidst the meeting which angered the villagers and they started pelting stones at the Army. In retaliation the Indian Army fired back at the crowded public, killing one civilian identified as Lamdaan Lukham (around 60-years-old) while several others were reportedly injured in the incident."
Longding district administration has decided to provide Rs 50,000 to the deceased and Rs 25,000 each to the injured as interim relief.
Strongly condemning the killing and the injuries caused to innocent civilians, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has demanded that the state government should give appropriate ex-gratia to the deceased and injured people.