Dimapur, June 5 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights has demanded inquiry into what it claimed is the “premeditated and prejudice action” of the 22nd Assam Rifles on June 2, where a number of villagers were assaulted at Mao Gate. The NPMHR said the assault was led by one Major Prasad Anand.
A press release from the NPMHR demanded an inquiry by competent authorities into the ‘despicable episode.’ The organization demanded that the culprits should be booked without further delay while adequate monetary “and other compensation” to the victims for their treatment and ‘other requirements’ should be made. According to the organization, a group of five personnel belonging to the 22nd Assam Rifles assaulted four persons on the “pretext” of pursuing extortionists. The victims were identified by the NPMHR to be one Mothohrii, a Nepuni, one Neli and a Pfokreni of Songsong village. All the victims were working in a paddy field when the Assam Rifles Jawans in civvies appeared and “began to torture them,” the NPMHR asserted.
Quoting villagers, the organizations said Nepuni was only a farmer while the rest are students, two of them his sons who are on vacation and helping in the farming. “They were also abused and threatened. Moreover, two women who went to intervene were verbally abused and forced to lie down on the ground. Besides the brutal assault, personal belongings of the victims including mobile phones and wallet were taken away,” the NPMHR narrated.
“Such incidents, which violate our constitutional given fundamental rights and freedom to live with dignity puts into doubt the self proclaimed slogan of the Assam Rifles ‘Friends of the Hill People.’ If they are friends, would the Assam Rifles even consider such actions?” the NPMHR queried.
The Naga people’s rights have once again been trampled even as the ceasefire agreement is in place, the organization said in lamented. “We are not spared even when we are in the fields working for our daily sustenance” it added. Expressing sympathy for the victims, the organization wished them recovery from the brutal physical injury and healing from mental trauma.
“As we are all governed by universal laws, those individuals or groups acting in contravention of the laws should be dealt accordingly. We expect the concerned authority to fulfil the above demands and restore the sanctity of law in the area.” It added.
