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.
ENPO: Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has demanded a transparent investigation in a time-bound manner, and award exemplary punishment to the killers.
Further, ENPO said the state governments of Assam and Nagaland, and National Human Rights Commission of India should immediately intervene to set up special inquiry team as requested jointly by the three village councils—Anaki Old, Anaki Yimsen, and Anaki-C—in the interest of delivering early justice to the bereaved family members in particular and concerned people in general.
ENPO claimed that the victim allegedly died due to “extreme torture by the police in the jail as he was found lying death outside the hospital after a reputed Galekey based doctor had given fitness certificate to be jailed.”
ENPO said that the Galekey police not only intruded beyond its jurisdiction without permission or informing its counterpart, or the concerned village authority, but arrested the victim along with one lady without any lady police. The lady was later released after paying a sum of Rs.50,000 to the Galekey OC in-charge, ENPO stated.
ENPO said that such sadistic conduct and brutal murder of any prisoner by responsible police, who are supposed to protect the citizen, was totally unacceptable and a matter of disgrace to the constitution of the country. Meanwhile, ENPO conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
PSC: Vehemently condemning the “brutal killing” of Henveih Phom, the Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) stated that stated that Henveih Phom (35) was arrested by Assam Police at Anaki jurisdiction (Nagaland) on his way to Gelekey, Assam on August 16, 2022.
In a press release, vice president N Chaushak Phom and general secretary C Sham-e Phom alleged that he tortured and brutally beaten by Assam Police in a broad daylight and lodged in Sivasagar District Jail, Assam.
At the time of his arrest, PSC said he was physically fit. However, PSC said that within six days of his arrest, he died under Assam police custody on August 21, 2022 “in a very suspicious manner.”
PSC said the family was informed by Assam police only after his death on August 22, 2022. When the family reached the spot, PSC said his body was found kept inhumanly in a corridor at Joysagar Civil Hospital, Assam.
PSC demanded that Assam Police (District Jail, Sivasagar) admit their total failure of responsibility and duty before it triggered disharmony between the two states of Nagaland and Assam.
It also demanded that accused person/s should be dealt with an iron hand and befitting punishment be given and restore immediate justice.
PSC has appealed to the state government and State Humans Rights Commission to take up necessary steps as possible to prosecute the accused person in accordance with the law of the land.
PSC has extended its solidarity to the bereaved family and prayed that God provide them comfort at this hour of sorrow.
NLSF: Nagaland Law Students Federation (NLSF) has vehemently condemned the “barbaric and heinous crime” of Assam police personnel involved in the custodial death and demanded that those responsible be booked and proper judicial enquiry initiated.
In a press release, NLSF president T Tohuka Achumi and general secretary N Lemchimong stated the “outrageous action” of Assam police was a serious matter and violation of “fundamental rights” and “human rights.”
The federation pointed out that according to Section 57 and 76 of CRPC 1973, “no police officer or other person shall detain in custody more than 24 hours as it is mandatory to present accused before magistrate within 24 hours from the time of arrest which exclude the time of journey.”
The federation has appealed the state government to take the matter in utmost seriousness for judicial proceeding and justice be given to the bereaved family.
KUD: Strongly condemning the custodial death of Henveih Phom, the Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD) has urged the state government, the state human rights commission and the law enforcing agencies to conduct the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest.
In a press release, KUD president A Mosa and general secretary M Jeange Yanlem said that police custody was supposed to be the safest place where a person gets justice. However, the union said that the death of a person under the full custody of Assam police and informing the family only after three days was “mostly questionable.”
KUD has extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty God grant them peace and solace at this hour of pain.
KSM: Kangtsung Senso Mongdang (Kangtsung Citizen’s Forum) has highly condemned the “barbaric incident” resulting in the death of one Henveih Phom under the custody of Assam police in Sivasagar District Jail, Assam.
In a press release, KSM president Tongpang Lkr and secretary Temjen Pongen have demanded judicial probe and that befitting punishment be award to those responsible.
ACFD: Anaki Citizen Forum Dimapur (ACFD) has also condemned the “brutal killing” of Henveih Phom and expressed apprehension that the “inhuman and irresponsible act” by Assam police “may trigger tension and disharmony” between Nagaland and Assam.
In a press release, ACFD’s I Kumzuk Yaden and Mongsen Phom have therefore urged the government of Assam and Nagaland to give justice to the deceased family.
