Special Operations Group, a memoir by a former member of Australia's elite police force by the same name, has been pulled from sale by its publisher Hachette over allegations of 'inaccuracy'.

The memoir, as per a BBC report, was released two weeks ago and it recounted Christophe Glasl's time as a member of the Special Operations Group (SOG).

<h2>What exactly was the book about?</h2>

As per BBC, the book recounted tales of murders, drug busts and also the response to the Port Arthur massacre which happens to be Australia's worst mass shooting.

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On 28 April 1996, the perpetrator Martin Bryant opened fire on a crowd of people in a tourist complex some 100 km south of Hobart, Tasmania, killing 35 people and wounding 23 others.

<h2>The 'inaccuracies' in the book</h2>

As per the Victoria police, the author, Glasl, was not present in Port Arthur when the tragic incident took place. This has cast doubt on the former policeman's version of events.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning, a Victoria Police spokesperson said that only 10 Victorian SOG members went to Tasmania that day.

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"To confirm, the former member was not part of the SOG deployment to Port Arthur nor was he even in Tasmania at the time," added the statement.

In a statement, the Victoria police said that one chapter which focuses on Glasl's "claimed involvement" in the "resolution" of the Port Arthur massacre was of particular concern.

<h2>What did the author say about these allegations?</h2>

As per The Australian newspaper, Glasl reportedly told the publisher that he was not in Tasmania on the day of the incident. He also said that he had always intended on it being a third-hand account.

The publisher Hachette Australia in its statement said that it has come to its attention that some of the book's content may be "inaccurate" and that due to this it has "taken the decision to withdraw this book from sale immediately" while a further review takes place.

While previously the publisher promoted the book as a "raw, behind-the-scenes look" at what went on in the special forces "where solidarity, camaraderie and loyalties were undermined by bullying, bastardisation, drug use, lies and betrayal", all mentions of the book have now been removed from the Hachette website.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Special Operations Group, a memoir by a former member of Australia's elite police force by the same name, has been pulled from sale by its publisher Hachette over allegations of 'inaccuracy'.

Special Operations Group, a memoir by a former member of Australia's elite police force by the same name, has been pulled from sale by its publisher Hachette over allegations of 'inaccuracy'. The memoir, as per a BBC report, was released two weeks ago and it recounted Christophe Glasl's time as a member of the Special Operations Group (SOG). What exactly was the book about? As per BBC, the book recounted tales of murders, drug busts and also the response to the Port Arthur massacre which happens to be Australia's worst mass shooting. Also read | Taliban halt Swedish activities in Afghanistan over 'heinous' act of Quran burning On 28 April 1996, the perpetrator Martin Bryant opened fire on a crowd of people in a tourist complex some 100 km south of Hobart, Tasmania, killing 35 people and wounding 23 others. The 'inaccuracies' in the book As per the Victoria police, the author, Glasl, was not present in Port Arthur when the tragic incident took place. This has cast doubt on the former policeman's version of events. Speaking to the Sydney Morning, a Victoria Police spokesperson said that only 10 Victorian SOG members went to Tasmania that day. Also read | Kim’s sister alleges ‘illegal intrusion’ of North Korean airspace by US surveillance, spy planes "To confirm, the former member was not part of the SOG deployment to Port Arthur nor was he even in Tasmania at the time," added the statement. In a statement, the Victoria police said that one chapter which focuses on Glasl's "claimed involvement" in the "resolution" of the Port Arthur massacre was of particular concern. What did the author say about these allegations? As per The Australian newspaper, Glasl reportedly told the publisher that he was not in Tasmania on the day of the incident. He also said that he had always intended on it being a third-hand account. The publisher Hachette Australia in its statement said that it has come to its attention that some of the book's content may be "inaccurate" and that due to this it has "taken the decision to withdraw this book from sale immediately" while a further review takes place. While previously the publisher promoted the book as a "raw, behind-the-scenes look" at what went on in the special forces "where solidarity, camaraderie and loyalties were undermined by bullying, bastardisation, drug use, lies and betrayal", all mentions of the book have now been removed from the Hachette website. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: 'Special Operations Group' memoir publisher takes it off market over false claims

Indian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought reports from Odisha state government and Indian interior ministry on the killing of five tribals during anti-Maoist operations by Indian security personnel in Kandhamal district of the state. 
 
&quot;We have sought the report on the July 8 killing of tribals in the firing in Kandhamal both from the (Odisha) state government and the Home Ministry (Interior ministry) within two weeks,&quot; NHRC secretary Satya Narayan Mohanty, who attended a meeting at the state secretariat here during the day, told reporters. 
 
Earlier, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) had also sougt reports from the state government on the July 8 night incident in Kandhamal. 
 
Chairperson of Indian National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) PL Punia claimed security personnel had opened fire &quot;unilaterally&quot; without any provocation. 
 
Punia, who met the family members of the victims in Kandhamal earlier in the day, said, &quot;The police opned fire unilaterally without any provocation leading to the death of five persons.&quot; 
 
He suggested that the state government register cases under the provision of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities, POA) Act for the incident. 
 
He also said that victims families should also be given &quot;adequate compensation&quot; as per the provisions of the POA. 
 
The state government, he said, had informed him that the state government has already made provisions for providing housing for the victims&#39; families. 
 
The government had also assured NCSC that the children&nbsp;of victims would be provided free education up to graduation level. 
 
Punia said NCSC would keep a watch on the actions taken by the state government. &quot;If required the senior officers like the chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police of Odisha will be called to meet the Commission.&quot; 
 
The NCSC visit came a day after the one by members of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under its chairman Rameshwar Oraon. 
 
The NCST while expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by the state government immediately after the July 8 night incident, came down heavily on the Special Operations Group personnel who had opened fire on the innocent people.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, a parliamentary delegation of ruling&nbsp;Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), led by party&nbsp;vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, are scheduled to visit the spot on the the incident tomorrow, a BJP release said. 
 
The delegation, comprising BJP national secretaries Jyoti Dhurve and Ramvichar Netam, are also scheduled to meet the victims&#39; families, the release added. 
 
A delegation of opposition political party Congress led by its leader Narasingha Mishra is also scheduled to visit the firing spot at Gumudimaha village tomorrow, sources in the party said. 
 
Both BJP and Congress had separately called bandhs in Kandhamal to protest against the killings. 
 
(PTI)

Chairperson of Indian National Commission for Scheduled Caste claimed security personnel had opened fire 'unilaterally' killing five people

Indian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought reports from Odisha state government and Indian interior ministry on the killing of five tribals during anti-Maoist operations by Indian security personnel in Kandhamal district of the state. "We have sought the report on the July 8 killing of tribals in the firing in Kandhamal both from the (Odisha) state government and the Home Ministry (Interior ministry) within two weeks," NHRC secretary Satya Narayan Mohanty, who attended a meeting at the state secretariat here during the day, told reporters. Earlier, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) had also sougt reports from the state government on the July 8 night incident in Kandhamal. Chairperson of Indian National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) PL Punia claimed security personnel had opened fire "unilaterally" without any provocation. Punia, who met the family members of the victims in Kandhamal earlier in the day, said, "The police opned fire unilaterally without any provocation leading to the death of five persons." He suggested that the state government register cases under the provision of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities, POA) Act for the incident. He also said that victims families should also be given "adequate compensation" as per the provisions of the POA. The state government, he said, had informed him that the state government has already made provisions for providing housing for the victims' families. The government had also assured NCSC that the children of victims would be provided free education up to graduation level. Punia said NCSC would keep a watch on the actions taken by the state government. "If required the senior officers like the chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police of Odisha will be called to meet the Commission." The NCSC visit came a day after the one by members of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under its chairman Rameshwar Oraon. The NCST while expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by the state government immediately after the July 8 night incident, came down heavily on the Special Operations Group personnel who had opened fire on the innocent people. Meanwhile, a parliamentary delegation of ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), led by party vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, are scheduled to visit the spot on the the incident tomorrow, a BJP release said. The delegation, comprising BJP national secretaries Jyoti Dhurve and Ramvichar Netam, are also scheduled to meet the victims' families, the release added. A delegation of opposition political party Congress led by its leader Narasingha Mishra is also scheduled to visit the firing spot at Gumudimaha village tomorrow, sources in the party said. Both BJP and Congress had separately called bandhs in Kandhamal to protest against the killings. (PTI)

Indian National Human Rights Commission seeks report from Odisha state govt, interior ministry on killing of tribals

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Australia: 'Special Operations Group' memoir publisher takes it off market over false claims

Indian National Human Rights Commission seeks report from Odisha state govt, interior ministry on killing of tribals