NSHRC report puts Nagaland’s human rights record under scrutiny

Commission recommends compensation in alleged police chase and Zunheboto lock-up case; takes up various rights-related issues

Moa Jamir
Kohima | September 2

Two deaths involving persons in State custody and another following an alleged police chase have put Nagaland’s human rights record under scrutiny, with the Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) recommending compensation in two of the cases examined during 2025-26.

The cases are detailed in the NSHRC’s third Annual Report for 2025-26, which records the Commission’s interventions in various human rights-related issues in Nagaland.  The report was presented in the 9th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Septembers 1.

Police and custodial matters
One of a significant police matters is the death of a criminal suspect during a police chase in 2024 in Niuland district.

The deceased wife filed a complaint alleging that the suspect was hit and run over by police during the chase and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The Commission sought reports from the Home Commissioner, DGP and Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, and examined police personnel involved, witnesses, the complainant, the driver of the vehicle allegedly involved, the Motor Vehicle Inspector and the doctor who conducted the post-mortem. 

It also conducted spot verification in Niuland district.

Following the inquiry, the NSHRC’s concluded that the human right of the suspect had been violated by the State machinery and recommended Rs 5 lakh compensation to his wife, who, the Commission noted, had no job and was left with three children to care for.

It further emphasised that a ‘suspect remains a suspect until proven guilty’ and is entitled to dignity and respect for his human rights as any other human being.

“It is s the duty of the law enforcement authorities to ensure that such violation of human right does not happen when dealing with a suspect,” it added. 

Another case involved the suicide of an accused in the lock-up of Zunheboto Police Station in May 2025, which was also taken up suo motu by the NSHRC following a report from the SP, Zunheboto.

The inquiry included examination of the SP, OC of Zunheboto PS, investigating officer, the Magistrate who conducted the inquest and police personnel on duty at the time of the incident.

The Commission also conducted spot verification at the police station and following the inquiry, recommended compensation to the deceased’s parents, to be shared equally between the police personnel on duty on May 16, 2025, and the State Home/Police Department.

The payment of Rs 5 lakh was directed to be made within one month.

The death of an undertrial prisoner while in judicial custody at District Jail Kohima was also up suo motu cognisance by the Commission took in 2025 after receiving a report on the death.

Subsequently, it sought reports from the Home Commissioner, DG (Prisons), SP, District Jail Kohima, and the Jailor.

After receiving the reports, the Commission summoned witnesses to record their statements. 

The case was awaiting final disposal, informed the annual report.

Other rights-related issues
Beyond police and custodial matters, the Commission also took up a range of issues during the year.

In a minimum wages case, taken up suo moto, the NSHRC recommended a review and revision of existing wage rates for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, to ensure just and fair wages. 

The State Cabinet examined the proposal but deferred implementation citing financial constraints and austerity measures. The Finance Department was directed to review the State’s financial position and resubmit the matter to the Cabinet.

On human organ transplantation, the Commission recommended adoption of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 and its 2011 amendment.

Following several meetings and an ATR process, the Government conveyed administrative approval for a proposed MoU between the Health & Family Welfare Department and the Mohan Foundation for implementation of the Act. 

Both cases remain under active consideration, the NHRCC informed. 

The Commission also took up the non-adoption of Rules under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. It was informed that the Draft Rules had been placed before the Government and subsequently sent to the State Assembly.

A further report was awaited, it added. 

On mental healthcare, the Commission visited the State Mental Health Institute, Kohima, assessed the facilities and made several recommendations for improvement while an action taken report was sought. 

It also registered a suo moto HIV/AIDS case following a newspaper report on the high rate of HIV/AIDS transmission in the State and the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS. After discussions with the H&FW Department and stakeholders, the Commission sought a detailed report and action plan from the concerned department and nodal agencies. 

The NHSRC report informed that both mental healthcare and HIV/AIDS cases are under active consideration.

In another matter, the Commission addressed the relocation of street vendors in Kohima, directing the DC, Kohima and Administrator, KMC to ensure that affected vendors were allotted spaces of their choice for vending. 

The case was subsequently closed.

Institutional gaps
Meanwhile, the findings come alongside an institutional gap within the State’s human rights watchdog itself. 

The annual report stated that while the NSHRC’s administrative wing is functioning, its Investigating Wing and Law/Judicial Wing are yet to be constituted.

The report also records that one Member position in the Commission’s present composition is vacant.

The NSHRC stated that it continued to take up significant human rights issues through complaints and suo motu cognisance, besides undertaking inspections of jails, police stations and other government institutions.