Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and United Naga Tribes Association on Border Areas (UNTABA) have demanded for the immediate unconditional release of five youths, who were allegedly apprehended by Assam Police and Assam forest personnel on May 27 from Rilan village.
According to the two bodies, the youths- Stephen Murry, Orenthung, Jonthungo, Bitemo and Thungdemo, all from Rilan village were under the “unlawful custody” at Diphu police station.
In the event, the youths were not released, the two bodies jointly resolved to initiate appropriate steps it may deem fit, a joint statement from NCD president T. Bangerloba and vice-president K. Ghokheto Chophy and UNTABA chairman Hukavi T. Yeputhomi and general secretary, Imsumongba Pongen stated. The resolution was taken at a joint meeting held at the NCD office.
NCD and UNTABA have also urged the district administration of Dimapur to immediately initiate appropriate step with its counterparts at Diphu for the unconditional release of the innocent citizens. They also appealed Dimapur district administration to initiate step against the “highhandedness” of Diphu district administration in the interest of the citizens of both States. Also, NCD and UNTABA have condemned the action of Assam police and Assam forest personnel in arresting “the lawful citizens of Nagaland based on the whims and fancies of the authorities under Assam government”.