Dimapur, July 18 (MExN): The Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) for the Wuzu Firing Incident that led to the death of two minors has now clarified that the “question of delay in submitting the report” by the JIC “does not hold water.” While lamenting the loss of lives of the two minors, the JIC requested all stake holders to “bear with the Commission and extend co-operation for early submission of the Report.” It has set the deadline for filing written statements for July 20. The press release, sent by Secretary to the JIC, K. Naben, explained that the Commission was only constituted vide Nagaland Govt. Notification NO.CON/LOR-3/2012 on November 13, 2015.
This initiated the process of enquiry and some witnesses filled Written Statements, which were received by the JIC but found that they were “not in proper order.”
Meanwhile, the Government vide letter NO. CONILOR-312012 dated December 9, 2015, reportedly “desired” that the Report of the Dimapur Jail Breaking Incident and lynching case be submitted first pending the Wuzu Firing Incident. It may be mentioned that the Government of Nagaland chose the same judge to preside over both the inquiries.
This is why the inquiry into the Wuzu incident was held off till the Dimapur jail break and lynching incident’s report was submitted on March 9 this year, informed the press note. However, in April, the Secretary to the Commission resigned, with a new one posted for the job only by May. It was not until June 17, almost a year after the Wuzu incident, that the Commission could visit Meluri, close to the affected villages of Wuzu and Phor. It is unclear if the JIC has yet visited the site of incident.
A press conference was held at the Dobashi’s Court of Meluri Headquarter on June 18, stated the Secretary, explaining the chain of events. In Meluri, all the Administrative and Police officers, Public leaders of Pochury Hoho, Pochury Mothers’ Association, Phokhungri Area Public Organisation, Pochury Students’ Union, Pochury Youth Association, Village loaders of both Wuzu and Phor and parents of the deceased victims/ injured woman attended besides media persons from the State, informed the JIC Secretary.
At the press conference, the Commission “sensitized” everyone present to “come forward with Written Statements in the form of affidavits.” According to the JIC Secretary, “all leaders assured full co-operation to Judicial Inquiry Commission.”
Accordingly, a Public Notice was served vide No. JIC-WFUNS/2016/032 on June 20 last that within a period of one month, witnesses are supposed to file their Written Statements in affidavits to the office of the JIC. The date for filing Written Statements has been set for on or before July 20.
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