“Justice delayed is justice denied”

PSUK organizes candlelight vigil in solidarity with Henveih Phom

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 31

The Phom Students’ Union Kohima (PSUK) today organized a Candlelight Vigil in Kohima in solidarity with late Henveih Phom who was “tortured and brutally beaten to dead by the Assam Police at District Jail Sivasagar.”

Held at Old MLA Hostel Junction, Kohima, the gathering shouted slogans demanding justice. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” they stated.

Representatives from Phom Students’ Union Kohima (PSUK), Phom Union Kohima (PUK), Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Kohima (ENPUK), Eastern Nagaland Women Organization Kohima (ENWOK) and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) delivered solidarity speeches at the programme.

Immediately constitute SIT: PSUK
Highlighting the chronology of the incident which led to the death of Henveih Phom, PSUK president Manngai Phom said that on August 16, Phom, a 35-year-old from Anaki-C Village “was arrested by Assam Police at Anaki Village jurisdiction (Nagaland) and remanded into Sivasagar Dist Jail, Assam. He was tortured and brutally beaten by the Assam Police on a broad daylight and lodged into Sivasagar District Jail, Assam.”

At the time of his arrest, his health condition was physically fit. However, within six days of his arrest by Assam Police, he died under their custody on August 21, in a very suspicious manner, he maintained. The family was informed by Assam Police only after his death. When the family reached the spot, his dead body was found lying in a corridor at Joysagar Civil Hospital, Assam, the PSUK President stated.

Condemning the heinous act, he said the PSUK “is deeply concerned by the inhuman and irresponsible act committed by the law enforcing force which pays no heed to the fundamental right of the citizen enshrined in the Constitution of India and International Human Right Law.”

PSUK also demanded that the competent authority immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under a competent investigating officer to enquire into the “mysterious death of Henveih Phom and to ensure that timely justice is delivered by booking the perpetrators under the relevant section of the law.”

PUK demands proper forensic investigation
PUK president Dr Manyau Phom, while thanking the PSUK for organising the vigil, said that in the provisional post mortem report as per the local dailies on August 27, “The cause of death is stated to be due to cardiac failure because of chronic anaemia. However, the injuries sustained on the body as per the photos and videos that is out in the media shows a completely different picture.”

In this connection, he demanded that a proper forensic investigation is carried out to ascertain the actual cause of death.
He said that it was extremely shocking to know that the torture and brutality inflicted on the person leading to his death was committed by the law keeper themselves.

“The crime committed is an absolute violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and abuse of human right. Every citizen of this country deserves the right to a fair trial in the court of law,” he said.

He appealed the competent authority to take legal action against the culprits and deliver justice without delay. “Those Police personnel responsible for the death under custody should be tried for homicide. I also appeal to the government of Assam and Nagaland to provide due compensation to the family members of the deceased,” he added.

Take up the issue with seriousness: ENWOK
ENWOK president Limei Phom said, “As mothers, we stand together in solidarity along with our Phom brothers and sisters.”

Condemning the act of Assam Police, she said “They have no right to take a life but instead they are supposed to be the protectors of life.”

ENWOK called on the Government of Nagaland to seriously take up the issue, take swift measures to identify and appropriately sanction punishment on the culprits according to the law and give justice to the departed soul.

She also called upon the gathering to “stand together as one, support each other in this fight for justice.”

“Today as we light this candle, let us not get this flame of fight for justice dim out. Let us voice out and let our voice be heard in this pursuit of truth, justice, dignity,” she added.

ENPUK demands thorough investigation
“The outrageous way in which they carried out the whole play, neglecting all protocols and acting on their own accord which ended up taking his life, goes on to show the Assam Police’s callous disregard for human life. Such actions have no place in our society, in our constitution, nor in any democratic state,” stated ENPUK president N Toshi Chang while condemningthe barbaric act of the Assam Police.

“We Nagas are peace loving people and like any other community, we want to thrive in peace with our neighbours. No matter what crime a person commits, he/she must be brought under trial as per the constitution and law,” he underscored.

He said that the eastern people and all the Nagas “demand that both the state governments of Assam and Nagaland work in coordination and conduct a thorough investigation to bring to justice.”

He also assured the family of Henveih Phom that they were not alone in the fight for justice; “All the Nagas around the world are praying for you and we all here, stand in solidarity to ensure timely justice to you.”

Listen to the Phom people’s cry for justice: ENSF
ENSF assistant general secretary Molo Phom told that gathering that the Federation has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland to immediately constitute a special investigation team under the competent and honest investigation officer, “so as to ensure timely justice to the bereaved families by booking the perpetrators under relevant section of the law.”

Appealing the state government to listen and hear out the cry for justice of Phom people and eastern people as a whole, Molo said, “The Federation once again appeal the state government machineries and the law enforcing agencies of Nagaland and those who are initiating and investigating the case to dig out the ‘truth and only the truth,’ so that there can be peace, harmony and justice amongst the peace loving citizens.”

Also stating that the act of Assam Police deserved the strongest condemnation, he appealed every society, organization and individual to come forward and express itself again such brutal act of violence.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/justice-delayed-is-justice-denied-1