TSUD for giving space to police
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 21
The Tenyimi Students Union Dimapur (TSUD) had on December 20 issued a 24 hour deadline to the Dimapur police demanding the arrest of 4 absconding individuals involved in the December 17 assault case. It warned of resorting to “own course of action” if the police failed to arrest the absconders. The deadline expired on December 21.
The TSUD were subsequently invited to a meeting by the Commissioner of Police in the afternoon, today. Emerging out of the closed door meeting, TSUD President, Sotilo Seb, told the media that the CP assured that the police was making progress in the investigation. Seb said that while the wish is for swift action, however, he added that the police must be given space to do their job.
As demanded by the TSUD on December 20, he said that the CP revealed the identities of all the arrested individuals so far. According to him, one more accused was arrested, taking the number of arrests to four.
On the request of the CP, he added that the names were being withheld for the timebeing, while adding that the police have also the details of three others, who were said to be absconding. “The CP assured to reveal the identities of all the accused once they are all arrested,” he said.
Queried on the place of the incident, he said that the assault took place in the private residence of Michael Yepthomi, Ato Kilonser of the Akato Chophy led group of the NSCN/GPRN in Thahekhu.
While there was no official update from the police, later in the evening, a report emerged that the remaining accused on the run have been arrested. This report could not be officially verified, however.
DNSU demands the arrest of all accused
Meanwhile, The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) condemned the December 17 assault case in Thahekhu village. Among the victims were also students.
“We strongly condemn the assault and urge all right thinking citizens to condemn it,” the DNSU office bearers told a press conference in Dimapur on December 21.
“We wonder whether the national workers are trained to threaten and assault the public or to protect our land,” said Michael Kath, General Secretary of the DNSU, while adding that if such a trend continues, the Naga Political Groups (NPG) will lose the support of the public.
According to him, the house where the alleged assault occurred happened to be the private residence of a top leader of one Naga Political Group, whose wife is also a councilor in the Dimapur Municipal Council. He also questioned the silence of the village council of the place where the incident occurred.
Azo Wetsah, Assistant General Secretary held that students falling victim to highhanded actions of people claiming to be members of the NPGs was nothing new. He demanded that the NPG leaders should discipline their cadres “otherwise the public can't remain tolerant for long.”
The DNSU acknowledged the police effort, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. “We understand the pressure and circumstances in which the police function,” said Kezevi Natso, Secretary, Finance. However, he maintained that justice should be delivered to all involved, including those absconding.
Kevin Gonmei, Secretary, Education, called for ramping up not only security patrols but also investing in more CCTV cameras. “Justice delayed is justice denied, expedite the process of justice. It could be me or you, tomorrow,” he said.
WNYF backs Co-ordination and Action Committee
The Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) has extended “full and unflinching support” to the ‘Co-ordination and Action Committee’ formed at the joint consultative meeting called by the Dimapur Rengma Youth Organisation on December 20 to pursue the case of abduction, life threatening intimidation and brutal assault on innocent youth by the cadres of NSCN/GRPN (Akato) at Thahekhu.
In a press release issued by its media cell, the WNYF fully endorsed the resolution adopted by the committee while asserting that it is determined to see the realisation of its objectives for the common welfare of the Naga society.
It also cautioned that if any group tries to interfere with the committee and its objectives, the WNYF would take strong action against the same. It also appealed the general public to support the committee to ensure that it may execute its duties without any coercion of any kind and bring about a logical conclusion to this burning issue.
