ASU resolves assault incident with AR; but continues non cooperation on AFSPA issue

August 13, 2024 9 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | August 13

The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) today said the matter regarding assault of its President by an Assam Rifles jawan on August 9 has been resolved after the demands to be fulfilled in the 48-hour period has been met.

Addressing media persons at its Office in Kohima today, ASU members said that the issue has been amicably resolved with the concerned parties during a late-night coordination meeting and threadbare discussion yesterday.

‘Jawan admitted to assault & tendered apology’
Before expiry of the ASU’s 48 hours deadline, a coordination meeting was held between members of ASU and IGAR (North) officials with the DC at his residence. The jawan who was responsible was identified by the competent authorities. Along with the officers of the IGAR North, the jawan came to the meeting, the ASU informed.

It said that the jawan concerned personally admitted that while in the line of duty, he had done wrong to a civilian.

Subsequently he have tendered unconditional apology infront of all the members present at the meeting, the ASU officials informed. IGAR North has also informed that disciplinary action is being initiated against the jawan, the ASU stated. It informed that the ASU will monitor the issue and ensure that action is taken against the perpetrator.

Deputy Commissioner, Kumar Ramnikant in a statement issued after the coordination meeting also added that the “Assam Rifle soldier expressed deep regret and apologised for the incident with the President of Angami Students’ Union while on duty, and having inadvertently hurt his and the sentiment of the Angami Students’ Union.”

IGAR North statement null & void
The ASU further stated that “having tendered apology, all clarification statements over the issue stands null and void and the whole issue stands amicably resolved.”

“We were expecting that the parties concerned will respond and reply in line with the charter of demand that ASU has placed before them. But to the dismay of the Angami Students Union, yesterday the press statement by the IGAR North was misleading at the same time their press statement did not have the full verdict. We were agitated over that,” the ASU members said.

It added that the press statement issued yesterday denied the assault, and never mentioned about assaulting the President of ASU who is also a civilian.

ASU officials said the press statement issued by the IGAR North which came out in the form of a clarification on Sunday afternoon now however stands null and void.

ASU to continue non-cooperation with armed forces
The ASU has however reiterated that despite having resolved this issue, in line with the Naga Students’ Federation, they will still maintain the non-cooperation with the armed forces as existing in all the Naga inhabited areas.

Although the assault matter has been resolved, the ASU called upon paramilitary forces and the army that they should not continue to harass and assault civilians in the name of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

They appealed all like-minded people and organisations to totally denounce the draconian law while reiterating its demand to the Government of India that Nagas and the Naga homeland must be free from the draconian law as this law violates the very basis of human rights.

“This time we may have resolved the issue, but in days to come, if the issue continues; then the brunt of the issue will be very severe and the ASU will not hesitate to go to any extend to protect and promote the rights of our people,” it added
The ASU underscored the incident of August 9, as one of the many incidents which have taken place in the state. The ASU reminded all concerned that every citizen residing within its jurisdiction is important and equal. “Even if the incident may have happened to some other person we would have taken the matter as serious as we have taken up today,” it said.