Kohima:Nagaland Home Minister Y. Patton has said that the Government has already set up a High Level Committee to inquire into the circumstances which led to the accident of C/N late Maokumzuk Jamir, who was killed at the festival at Benreu Village Gate in Peren district on October 31.
Mr. Patton, who was addressing the hundreds of mourners yesterday, attended the funeral service for C/N late Maokumzuk Jamir of Mangmetong Village under Mokokchung district, who was killed in an accidental firing while on duty as security escort for Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang at the festival at Benreu Village Gate on Friday.
Patton attended the funeral service, expressed condolences and regrets to the bereaved family members besides announcing ex-gratia of Rs.2 Lakh to the family members. Patton also informed that the person from whose gun the bullet was in the custody of police.
Patton further informed that one Gaon Burha and two police personnel were also injured during the firing of guns to mark the festival.
He appealed to the family members not to take the accident otherwise as it was purely accidental. Patton also assured the family members that the Government would give all possible help as per the norms and procedures of the Government.
He informed that Chief Minister and his wife had planned to attend the funeral, but could not do so in view of prior engagement. Ten legislators and Advisors from State Government attended the service on behalf of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said the ‘accidental firing’ that killed Moakumzuk Jamir the policeman, who was among the Chief Minister’s security escort and injury to two other policemen at Benreu village gate on October 31 was avoidable, had proper security measures been undertaken.
Stating this, NPCC media cell said of late, it has become a rule rather than an exception, for civilians to fire blank shots during festivals and celebrations, most of who had no knowledge of handling weapons other than pulling the trigger.
NPCC questioned the State Government for its ‘callous attitude’ over the basic safety issue of handling of weapons that had put the lives of public at great peril during such celebrations. While extending condolences to the bereaved family members, NPCC demanded a thorough probe into the serious security lapse which could have endangered the life of the chief minister, who was at close proximity to the victim.
NPCC demanded that the officer in-charge of security at the venue and CM’s staff should be held responsible for laxity as the incident could not be treated as a mere one off accidental occurrence. (UNI)