Pfutsero, September 21 (MExN): Several organizations in Phek district have condemned the alleged physical assault on one Wekupe Tsuhah by an Army Jawan.
In a condemnation note, the Mesulumi Village Council, Mesulumi Sub-Council Pfutsero Town, Mesulumi Students’ Union, Thetsumi Village Council, Chairman of Reku Colony, President of Reku Colony Youth, ANAHTA and ANHTU Phek unit alleged that the accused under the influence of alcohol had assaulted the victim “without any reason” despite ascertaining his identity as Teacher in a government school.
They recounted that on September 16 around 3:40 pm, a group of Army Jawans under the command of a Major, 9th AR D-Coy Pfutsero, came in 3 vehicles and stopped near the petrol pump at Reku colony, Pfutsero, where one jawan allegedly pulled up Khroshe Puro, Finance Secretary, Mesulumi Students’ Union and started questioning him if he had seen any tax collector from the Naga political groups. When Khroshe replied he did not see any such person around the area, the accused jawan allegedly pointed at Wekupe Tsuhah and asked for his identity, according to the organizations. Khroshe confirmed that Wekupe is a Hindi Teacher at GPS Thetsumi village, from Mesulumi village.
“Inspite of knowing his identity, he straight away pulled up Wekupe Tsuhah into their mini truck,” they added, while alleging that the jawan “under the influence of alcohol started beating and punching him without any reason and the victim was not allowed to speak and continuously assaulted and proceeded towards Chizami jurisdiction…” “When he overacted, his comrade seized his service rifle. He verbally abused him,” it was further alleged.
Later, when the Commanding Officer was asked through OC Pfutsero why the victim was taken away, the Major denied involvement of his Jawans. The organizations said that the Chizami post Commander had also denied sending out jawans on that day.
After intervention by the Reku public, villagers, Pfutsero Town Youth and OC Pfutsero, before the two vehicles returned from Mesulumi village bridge, the Major reportedly confessed that Wekupe was arrested based on mistaken identity.
The Major, according to the organizations, had stated that a group of insurgents suspected to be from NSCN (K) had come to Pfutsero town, for which, he sent his Jawan and Wekupe was arrested based on wrong identification. The organizations, while condemning the incident, asserted that no one is above the law and asked the high authority to provide a clarification.
