Alleged custodial death: Orgs demand justice, seeks Nagaland Govt’s intervention

NHRC issue notice to Sivasagar police an action taken report 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 30 

The Phom People's Council (PPC), Rising People’s Party (RPP) and Kohima Kangtsung Senso Telongjem (KKST), on August 30, joined others in condemning and demanding justice for alleged custodial death of Naga youth in the hand of Assam police on August 21.

There were further demands for immediate intervention by the Government of Nagaland at the highest level and punish those involved in the alleged death of Henveih Phom, from Anaki-C village under Mokokchung district, at Geleky Police Station of Sivasagar district.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sought an action taken report (ATR) from Assam's Sivasagar district police over the custodial death, the PTI news agency reported on August 29. 

The NHRC sent the notice to Sivasagar superintendent of police on Friday and gave four weeks' time for the response, the report said, quoting official source.

The NHRC notice followed the filing of a complaint to it by the Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), it added. 

Meanwhile, the PPC censured the Assam police for taking the law “on their own hands” and executing the brutal act. 
Late Phom was an innocent person and he was tricked by “some Assam people who had connection with their local police. Victim's family were even asked to pay huge sum of money for his release by some Assam police,” the Council further alleged in a press release. 

“Many a times our innocent Nagas, especially those who stay in the border of Assam gets trapped by their policy,” it further noted, adding that if the Nagaland State Government does not take any action now, similar tactics of “luring” innocent people might be practiced in the future.

“The PPC hopes that Nagaland government will take up this issue fast and punish those who were involved,” it stated. 
It further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and also prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

The PPC also expressed gratitude to all others for their support in seeking justice. 

Meanwhile, the RPP termed the custodial death as “an act of terrorism and murder” and stated that the death under Assam Police custody was “completely inhumane and befitting of the highest level of punishment under relevant sections of the law.”

 The RPP expects immediate intervention from the Government of Nagaland at the highest level so that an investigation is set up to book the irresponsible Assam police involved in the case, it asserted.

The RPP also lauded the NHRC and ILAI for the act of taking up the issue and also the various civil society organisations raising their voices in seeking justice.

“The RPP is also of the firm opinion that such acts of ‘Gunda-giri’ and act of terror committed by the law-enforcing forces should not be left unpunished,” it added. 

The party also extended its solidarity and deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for God’s comfort and peace upon the grieving family.

Condemning the incident, the KKST maintained that the death of the youth “clearly” indicate that it was committed by law keepers taking the “law into their own hands.” 

The KKST appealed the authority to book the errand personnel(s) and proceed legal action and deliver justice at the earliest. 

The union also conveyed its condolence to the bereaved family. 



Support The Morung Express.
Your Contributions Matter
Click Here