DIMAPUR, AUGUST 20 (MExN): The demand to immediately suspend the officer in charge of the Tuensang police station who was on duty when a mob entered the lockup and killed three NSCN (I-M) cadres, setting up of an enquiry committee to look into the matter and “to book the culprits (Ring Leaders) and bring them to justice” was placed before the Nagaland government today.
Arriving at this decision at their meeting on August 19, the Phom People Council and the Phom Students’ Conference questioned the civil administration as to why the mob was allowed to break into the police station and wondered if there were not enough police personnel, or simply negligence of duty.
Terming as “unfortunate” the action of the deceased NSCN (I-M) men “which is in violation of the resolution adopted by the Tuensang Town Peace Committee,” a press statement said the act of the mob was “more condemnable.”
“In today’s society, there are many ways of settling disputes only if justice is to be delivered in the greater interest of all sections of society.
“It is also to be mentioned here that the act of the irate mob had only distorted the existing social harmony, disrespect to the state government’s machinery and necessary hindrance to the national workers.”
Separately, NSCN (I-M) Central Administrative Officer of the Chang Region, B Moba Chang, stated: “We are perplexed as to how such an ugly incident was allowed to take place under the custody of the Police who are meant to ‘protect’ and give ‘justice’ to the people.”
In a press release the CAO stated, “The Constitution of India allows any criminal to fight for his rights in any court of law before his prosecution or being penalized. The authorities of the Police Department should spell out as to how and what led the mob to take the law in their hands in their presence. The State Government should take stern actions against the erring officers and bring culprits to book at an early date.”
He thanked Parliamentary Secretary P Chuba Chang, Chang Khulei Shetsang and various organizations of Tuensang District “for the initiation that they have made for maintaining cordial relations among different communities and sections of people.”
The CAO further conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
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