Various organisations have condemned 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.
Ao Senden: Ao Senden has strongly condemned the alleged custodial death of E Henveih Phom by Assam police personnel of Geleki police station, Assam.
Ao Senden president Chubawati Longchar and general secretary Imtipokyim stated that this “clearly indicated that the death is committed by the law keepers where they have taken the law into their own hands.”
Ao Senden appealed to the authority to book the errant personnel and proceed legal action so that such heinous action does not happen to anyone in the future.
PSU Anaki ‘C’: Condemning the alleged custodial of Henveih Phom, Phom Students’ Union Anaki ‘C’ Mokokchung said the inhuman act by the Assam Police “may trigger communal disharmony between the two states of Nagaland and Assam.”
PSU Anaki ‘C’ president Longli Phom and general secretary Bauyung Phom said “such inhuman and savage activities by law enforcing agency has no place in this civilised society.” It appealed to the state government, state human rights commission, and law enforcement agencies to investigate the case and deliver justice without delay.
Extending support to the decision of the councils of three villages to “completely halt any business activities with Assam till justice is delivered to the victim’s family”, the union extended its condolence to the family and prayed that God would provide them comfort.
APSU Mokokchung: Anaki Phom Students’ Union has vehemently condemned the alleged custodial death of Henveih Phom and said it was disheartened to learn of “such a cruel act committed by the Assam police”.
APSU president P. Shahchong and general secretary Wongang requested the state government and government of Assam to deliver justice to victim and his family members. The Anaki Phom Students’ Union fully supports the decision of the councils of 3 Anaki villages and completely halt the movement and business activities with Assam till justice is delivered to the victim’s family. APSU conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
KU: Condemning the alleged custodial death, Konyak Union stated that the victim was “arrested within Anaki jurisdiction without the consent of Nagaland law enforcing authorities.”
KU vice president H.A. Hongnao Konyak and general secretary Manpang K Wangyen said late Henveih Phom was in good health when he was arrested by the Aasam Police, however, he was lodged in Sivasagar district jail where he was allegedly “murdered.”
It said that time and again, Assam Police has proved that they were “nothing but goons” in “uniform without any integrity of being in the uniform service which otherwise is to protect and safeguard the people of this country.”
Konyak Union appealed to the state government to take up the matter immediately and book the culprits as per appropriate law to ensure justice to family of the victim.
The union warned that it would not remain a mere spectator if the responsible authorities fail to deliver justice.
ENWO: Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation has expressed deep concern over the alleged custodial death of Henveih Phom and condemned the “act of violence by the unlawfulness of the responsible police”.
ENWO president A Shamthai Phom and assistant general secretary C Auchingsonla Chang stated that “violence is never the right answer against any situation and there can be no justification for anyone to take away another’s life.”
ENWO appealed to the state government and law enforcing agencies to identify the culprits and set a strong example for such people who take law into their own hands.
KSM: Condemning the alleged custodial death, Kangtsung Senso Mongdang (Kangtsung Citizen’s Forum) claimed that the deceased accused along with one lady was arrested by the Assam police at Anaki village jurisdiction, which it said was “under Tull sub-division, Mokokchung.
KSM president Tongpang Lkr and secretary Temjen Pongen demanded a judicial probe and asked the responsible authorities to give befitting punishment to erring officials and personnel for negligence on their part.
LKM demands judicial probe
Langpangkong Students’ Conference (LKM) on Friday demanded a judicial probe into the alleged custodial death of one of its members, late Henveih Phom of Anaki village under Mokokchung district, while in the custody of Assam police.
In a representation addressed to the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Tuli, LKM president Washimong Sadem Longkumer and general secretary Temjentoshi stated that the victim along with one lady was arrested by Assam police on August 16 at Anaki village jurisdiction, which it said, was “under Tuli sub-division, Langpangkong range, Mokokchung district”.
The conference claimed that she was released on payment of Rs. 50,000, allegedly demanded by “officer in-charge of Gelekey Police Station.”
It claimed the alleged arrest of the accused by Assam police was made “beyond its jurisdiction as the place of arrest fell under Anaki village jurisdiction within the territorial boundary of Tuli sub-division, under Mokokchung district.”
“Assam police have illegally intruded beyond its limit without prior information or permission from its official counterpart or concerned village authority”, LKM claimed.
On the day of arrest and as per report of the doctor at Gelekey PHC, Gelekey Assam, LKM claimed “the physical health condition of the accused was fit and robust”, however, it was apparent from the face of the victim that he was “brutally beaten, manhandled and tortured by the Assam police and lodged at Sivasagar district jail, Assam.”
After six days of arrest, LKM said “to the family’s surprise in particular and people of Nagaland in general”, it was on August 21 at around 8.30 am, the accused victim’s father received a phone call from officer-in-charge of Gelekey police station informing that his son (the victim) was not feeling well.
LKM stated that the family rushed to Sivasagar Assam “only to find out that the victim was already dead under mysterious circumstances and the dead body was kept outside the Verandah at Joysagar Civil Hospital, Sivasagar, Assam”
Pointing out that police were meant to protect the public, be it accused or innocent civilians, LKM said the barbaric act on the part of Assam police and other government agencies handling the “brutal murder” of an accused under their custody was “beyond human imagination”.
The conference said this created a “fear psychosis” among the community in the bordering state of Assam and Nagaland and demanded that the concerned “pressurise” a thorough investigation through judicial probe.
It also demanded that the surviving family of the victim be compensated to uphold the rule of law in the interest of justice.
