Alleged custodial death of Naga youth: Orgns demand judicial probe

Condemning the alleged custodial death of E. Henveih Phom, a retired Nagaland police personnel from Anaki village under Mokokchung district while in the custody of Assam police, various organisations in the state have demanded judicial probe into the death.
Azo Nienu: NPF Legislature party leader and UDA co-chairman Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, has vehemently condemned the alleged custodial death of Henveih Phom.
Azo said it was learnt that the deceased was physically tortured by the police personnel while he was under their custody and said to have succumbed to the injuries after five days of his arrest.
Azo questioned Assam government, particularly the law enforcing agencies by saying that when “our own neighbour is not safe in the hands of our own security personnel then it will break the trust of brotherhood between the two peace loving states.”
He appealed to the counterpart Assam government to “immediately set up a Special Investigative Team (SIT) and probe into the case with utmost seriousness, without any biasness and deliver justice to the victim’s family at the earliest.
PUK: Phom Union Kohima said it was disturbed to know that the torture and brutality inflicted on Henveih Phom leading to his death was committed by law keepers themselves.
PUK president Dr. S. Manyau Phom and general secretary T. Lungmei Phom stated that the crime committed was “absolute violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of India and abuse of human rights.”
The union appealed to the responsible authority to take legal action against the culprits and deliver justice at the earliest.
ASM: Condemning the alleged custodial death, Anaki Senso Mungdang urged upon the competent authorities to conduct thorough judicial probe and demanded that those perpetrators who committed such heinous crime against its fellow citizen be booked and awarded befitting punishment irrespective of creed or colour.
ASM president I. Nuklu Lemtur and secretary T. Aren Imsong conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty would grant them solace.
USSC: Condemning the alleged custodial death, United Sangtam Students’ Conference said the personnel who were supposed to protect have “completely failed”, which it said, undermined the fundamental rights of the citizens as enshrined in the constitution of India and the International Human Rights law.
USSC vice president Sethrongba Y Sangtam and education secretary Irothe T Sangtam said the inhuman act by law-abiding forces was “a disgrace to the constitution of the country”.
It demanded that the personnel be brought to justice immediately and also extended its support to the demand of Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) to immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
WSYF: Western Sumi Youth Front has strongly condemned the highhandedness of Assam police for taking law into their own hand and brutally killing the innocent Naga youth in their Custody.
WSYF through its secretary, Bohoi K Yepthomi urged upon the state government to intervene and bring justice at the earliest and that proper investigation be set up.