Following the suicide of a 19 years old in Police custody in Chümoukedima, the Khiamniungan Union Chümoukedima has written a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Nagaland on October 9, demanding to constitute a Judicial Inquiry committee. It appealed the CM to issue a directive to immediately take appropriate action against the erring police personnel on duty, and further provide adequate compensation to the grieving family of the victim.

In the memorandum, the Union stated that the victim along with 2 (two) other persons were alleged to have stolen a chicken from the house of Langoi and that the victim (late Pashu) along with his father had also apologized and sought forgiveness.

Basing on the apology the matter is said to have been settled on October 3 between the victim’s father along with the care-taker, chicken owner, land owner and the resident of the Ward No-7.

“However despite their forgiveness they have decided to expelled the victim from the colony. The victim as well as his parents had accepted the decision and while the victim parents were in process of sending the victim to their native village, the Chumukedima Police Personnel in civil dress came and arrested the victim and took him to the Chumukedima Police Station,” stated the KUC.

The Union also pointed out that no action was taken against the other two co-accused persons who were involved in stealing the chicken along with the victim. “Whereas, the action on the part of the police personnel exposed their bias and unfair conduct. And for which, the action of the concern Officer-in-charge along with the police personnel of Chümoukedima Police should be investigated,” stated the KUC.

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Considering the sequence of events and circumstance in which the victim committed suicide, the Union stated that there are sufficient evidence to establish the negligence on the part of the police personnel on duty at the point of time. “The entire chain of events and circumstance leading to the arrest of the victim by the police is questionable and those police personnel on duty at the point of time who at the helm of affairs proclaim to be the defender of the democracy and protector of people’s right and yet do not hesitate to condescend behind the screen to let loose to settle personal scores, feigning ignorance of what happen and pretending to be vigilant and saviour of citizen’s rights,” asserted the Union.

Citing that the Constitution and the laws of India are imbued with abiding concern for human rights and fundamental freedom in general and the rights of the accused in particular.

“Custodial torture is a grave violation of human rights and dignity enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to life and liberty to individual and prohibits any sort of custodial torture both physical and mental. A lot of custodial death occurs because of suicide however; it is not clear whether the inmate/victim committed suicide or was force to avoid torture and humiliation. In any case, the psychological aspects of the victim was completely neglected and there was no psychiatric help available to the victim to cope with the stress or trauma that he was experiencing,” added the Union.

The Khiamniungan Union Chümoukedima along with the family of the victim Late Pashu therefore urged for the intervention of the Chief Minister. The Union further urged the Government to fulfill the demands within 14 days from the date of the memorandum. “And in the event of failure to fulfill the demands, the Union shall be constrained to take-up its own course of action till justice is delivered to the deceased and his family,” added the Union.