As per the information provided by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Assam recorded 41 “registered” cases of custodial death in two years (2020 – 2022), the highest in the Northeast. In May this year, in Nagaon, Assam, an alleged custodial death of a fish trader led to a mob setting fire to the Batadrava police station. The local authorities retaliated by bulldozing the “illegally-built” houses of at least five people found involved in the arson. Following this, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking an impartial probe into the alleged custodial death of the fish trader filed by two lawyers was registered by the Guwahati High Court. It is reported that the family members of the deceased were demanded a sum of Rs.10,000 and a duck by the police as bribe for the victim’s release. The High Court subsequently issued a notice to the Assam State government, seeking its reply. The outcome of the case is unknown. However, the case in point here is not the outcome of the court’s notice but of Assam police brutality, highhandedness, corruption and the plight of hapless victims.
What happened in Anaki C village where the Assam police arrested a Naga youth, along with a female accomplice, on August 16 and the subsequent chain of events that unfolded after the arrest is a matter of serious concern that should serve as a harsh reminder to all concerned about Assam police brutality. Further, the issue is murkier than it appears because the unresolved border disputes between the states of Assam and Nagaland have been brought to the fore once again through this unfortunate incident. Anaki C village is within Tuli sub-division of Mokokchung district of Nagaland state but the Assam side also claims the territory, which is why the Assam police were inside Anaki C territory when they made the arrest. Other aspects of the incident like arresting a female without any women police personnel, Assam police demanding cash to bailout the female accomplice of the victim, and the alleged police brutality leading to the death of the victim are illegitimate acts on the part of the Assam police personnel that need to be thoroughly investigated as demanded by various organizations. Moreover, why and how the victim was arrested in the first place need to be thoroughly investigated and ascertained.
Further, apart from the demands exerting pressure on the Nagaland state government, it will be good to explore the legal options too. Nagas are not very adept when it comes to judicial matters, which is why many issues, no matter how genuine, die natural deaths because no legal proceedings were initiated. At this particular instance, though sadly a precious life has been lost, we are presented with an opportunity to teach the Assam police a lesson.