Nagaland: Organisations condemn custodial death of Naga youth

Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Chakesang Youth Front (CYF), Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) and National People’s Party (NPP) state unit have condemned the custodial death of E. Henveih Phom, a retired Nagaland police personnel from Anaki village under Mokokchung district while in the custody of Assam police.
PSC: Condemning the custodial death, Phom Students’ Conference has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating circumstances in which such lawlessness exists.
PSC said this, undermined the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the Indian Constitution and International Human Rights Law.
Pointing out that the inhuman and irresponsible act by law-abiding forces may trigger disharmony between the two states of Nagaland and Assam, it demanded that the accused person(s) be dealt with an iron hand and befitting punishment be given.
PSC also appealed to the state government, state Human Rights Commission and law enforcing agencies to leave no stone unturned to ensure that perpetrators of such a crime be brought to justice without any delay. Further, the conference extended its solidarity to the bereaved family and prayed that God would provide comfort at this hour of sorrow.
CYF: Chakhesang Youth Front has vehemently condemned the repulsive nature of Assam police, “who tortured to death” the Naga youth under its custody.
CYF president Vezhoduyi Nakro stated that no matter what allegations, the custodians of law have “no right to kick under the carpet the basic rights of a person to satiate their bestial urges.” CYF affirmed that it would stand alongside the Phom community and demanded immediate and impartial inquiry into the custodial death so that justice is delivered to the victim and his family.
CYF also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that God grant solace at this time of grief.
WCH: Condemning the custodial death, Western Chakhesang said the law enforcing agencies were to protect the citizens and take actions whenever found guilty according to the law of the land, however, it stated that they have become agents who “murder the citizen.” WCH president Z. Kepfelhou Koza and press secretary Abel stated that the act of the police on late Henveih was highly condemnable and has no place in a civilised society.
The Hoho demanded that strict action be befitted upon erring personnel and justice be delivered to the bereaved family at the earliest.
NPP state unit: Condemning the custodial death of Henveih Phom, National People’s Party Nagaland state unit said it was utterly shocked and infuriated at the cruel and unimaginable manner in which the personnel of Assam police “tortured and allegedly killed” late Henveih Phom.
The NPP state unit said such cold-blooded killing of a Naga civilian by the Assam police will not be tolerated at any cost and that NPP would not remain a mute spectator.
It demanded both the state and Assam governments to immediately book everyone responsible “for this villainous act” and requested the responsible authorities to give befitting punishment at the earliest. NPP state unit questioned as to why the state government as to why it has been maintaining a “surprising silence” over this issue and why it had not been discussed at the chief minister’s level till date.
Conveying its condolence to the bereaved family members and relatives, the state unit also called upon the central and state governments of Assam and Nagaland to “immediately compensate the family members of the deceased with adequate ex-gratia.”