Police alleged of inattention, petitioners seek state protection
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 18
A land dispute case in Kiphire has had one side of the dispute alleging police inattention and petitioning the Court for state protection. As per an order issued by the Kohima Bench, Gauhati High Court, on November 11, in WP (C) 270/2022, the dispute was between the descendants of two deceased individuals, namely— late Sepio and late Litsase. The petitioner is the descendant of the former and the respondents the descendants of the latter.
The petitioner (name withheld) sought legal redress after repeated attempts to file a police complaint, following an alleged life bid, was ignored by the Kiphire police. “The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioners seeking Police protection to their lives and property…” the court stated in the order.
As alleged by the petitioner, there was a bid on his life by one of the respondents on August 22, 2022, following which he filed a police complaint at the Kiphire Police Station the same day. The complaint was however not registered, the petitioner alleged. Two subsequent attempts to file the complaint, through the office of the SP, Kiphire, was made on August 29 and September 9, which also did have the desired effect, allegedly.
It further alleged that the “petitioners have been receiving continuous threat to their lives and property, from the respondents” as a result of which the petition was filed “seeking Police protection to their lives and property.”
Prior to the alleged life bid, the District Customary Court, Kiphire, on August 6, 2021, had decided on the dispute, in favour of the petitioner. It added that the decision was violated by the respondents resulting the Customary Court imposing monetary penalty on May 24, 2022.
The State government, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kiphire are also listed as respondents in the Writ Petition. The court directed the Senior Government Advocate to “get necessary instructions as to whether on the basis of the FIR lodged by the petitioner, case has been registered by the Police or not and as to whether proper and necessary investigation is conducted by the Police.”
The DC and SP of Kiphire were further directed to inquire into the threat to life and property, as alleged by the petitioner “and if found true, shall provide necessary Police protection to the petitioners.” They were also directed to ascertain whether the respondents were taking law into their own hands “and if so, shall take necessary actions against them in accordance with law.”
Meanwhile, the petitioner’s counsel was directed to issue notice to the respondents accused in the petition.
