Jawans kill 2 civilians after mistaking them for Maoists

Security forces killed two civilians and injured four others after mistaking them for Maoists in a Jharkhand village on Wednesday morning, the police said.

Security forces killed two civilians and injured four others after mistaking them for Maoists in a Jharkhand village on Wednesday morning, the police said.

Director general of police Rajeev Kumar said the incident occurred during an anti-insurgency operation being conducted by the CRPF and the police in Marwai village of Gumla district, about 150km from Ranchi.

"The security forces mistook the civilians for Maoists rebels fleeing in a truck," said Kumar.

A CRPF officer, wishing anonymity, said the troopers had set an ambush for the Maoists intelligence reports had suggested would pass through the area.

“Around 3.30am, the security forces opened fire at the truck after the driver did not stop the vehicle even after repeated warnings," the officer said.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has ordered a probe into the incident.

The deceased have been identified as Hiralal Oraon and Nilesh Oraon. The injured, Upendar Oraon, Ashok Oraon, Sameer Oraon and Sumeshwar Oraon, were airlifted to Ranchi for treatment.

The family members of the deceased and the injured have been provided ex-gratia amounts of Rs 50,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively by the police immediately after the incident.

Security forces have been accused in the past of killing civilians suspected to be sympathetic to Maoists in fake gunfights.