Naga Hoho writes to Home Minister for ‘fair & impartial’ investigation on Naga Sepoy death
Kohima, July 12 (MExN): In the wake of mass recruitment of Naga people by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, the Naga Hoho has written to Government of India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh on reports of “Naga boys being harassed and meted out undue humiliation after joining various professions in the mainland.”
The Naga Hoho was particularly referring to the demise of Naga Sepoy Vezota Vasa who died while on duty with the Jat Regiment at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh on June 23 last.
The Naga Hoho letter was sent to Rajnath Singh through Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, and was signed by the Hoho President, P Chuba Ozukum, and General Secretary, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu.
It may be noted that the Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) had written to PB Acharya on July 6 requesting him to “personally intervene” into the matter of Vasa’s death which was found to be “suspicious” by his family and community.
Now, the Naga Hoho has requested Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take up the case with the appropriate authorities to conduct a “fair and impartial” investigation, whereby, “the whole truth will be unearthed.”
The Hoho reiterated points raised by the WCH, concluding that Vasa’s “tragic death” appears to be one of “deep connivance of conspiracy and foul play.” They stressed once again on how the Sepoy’s post-mortem was conducted despite instructions from his family not to do so till they had seen the body, how the family was not allowed by the Jat Regimental Centre to see the body of their son until much later, when they were allowed to see only the upper part of the body that was stained with blood.
Contrary to the parents’ will to clean up the body of Late Vasa, the authorities cleaned and wrapped up the dead body and placed it in the morgue.
Moreover, it was also found that Vasa’s death was reported to the Barrack he lived in, with a number of others, nearly 40 minutes after it was found in the Barrack’s toilet 12 feet away, noted the Naga Hoho. The family was also denied permission to meet the person who had first witnessed and reported the matter.
“The photographs available with the Police, clearly indicates that it is not a matter/case of suicide as claimed by the authorities,” maintained the Naga Hoho.
In view of these circumstances, the Hoho requested Home Minister Rajnath Singh to look into the matter for a fair and impartial investigation.
“Your action will also allay the fears and the prejudices that our youth would have on the Indian Armed Forces in particular and the other professions in general,” noted the Naga Hoho.
