Protests in eastern Nagaland against the custodial death of a Naga youth in Assam

Guwahati: Thousands of students under the banner of Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) protested across eastern Nagaland on Friday against the “security death” of a 35-year-old Naga youth in Assam.

On August 16, a Naga youth identified as Hanuya Phum of Anaki-si village was arrested by the Siva Sagar Police from Anaki village in Nagaland for alleged police custodial torture.

The ENSF held protest rallies at the headquarters of all its seven federating units.

Its federating units include the Chang Vidoshi Setshang, Khemnyongan Students’ Union, Konyak Students’ Union, Phum Students’ Conference, Takir Students’ Union, United Sangtam Students’ Conference, and Yumkhong Akhiro Arihakko.

The ENSF also submitted a memorandum to Nagaland Chief Secretary Jay Alam expressing deep concern over the death of a youth in Shivsagar police custody.

The student organization alleged that the deceased was tortured and beaten in broad daylight by the Assam Police and lodged in Shivsagar District Jail.

Its federating units include the Chang Vidoshi Setshang, Khemnyongan Students’ Union, Konyak Students’ Union, Phum Students’ Conference, Takir Students’ Union, United Sangtam Students’ Conference, and Yumkhong Akhiro Arihakko.

The ENSF also submitted a memorandum to Nagaland Chief Secretary Jay Alam expressing deep concern over the custodial death of a youth in Shivsagar police custody.

He was in good health at the time of his arrest. However, within six days of his arrest by the Assam Police, he died in their custody in a highly suspicious manner on 21/08/22. The Assam Police informed the family only after his death. When the family members reached the spot, his body was found lying in a corridor of Assam’s Joy Sagar Civil Hospital.

The students’ organization also demanded that a special investigation team (SIT) be set up to probe the mysterious death of Hanuya Phum.