Following the incident on August 9, 2024, where the President of the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) was allegedly harassed by a 13th Assam Rifles personnel, the Assam Rifles issued a clarification today. The Assam Rifles described the incident as “unfortunate” and provided details from their preliminary investigation.
According to the Assam Rifles, the soldier in question was on sentry duty when he noticed a car parked close to the Assam Rifles Camp. Due to heightened security concerns ahead of Independence Day, the sentry, unaware of the driver’s identity, approached the vehicle to investigate. This led to an argument between the soldier and the ASU President regarding the vehicle’s presence in what the Assam Rifles called “restricted area.”
The Assam Rifles assured the people of Kohima that the regrettable incident has been taken cognizance of. On its part, it said, the Assam Rifles has already initiated an investigation into the incident.
“Assam Rifles is actively engaging with the Civil Administration, APO – Angami Public Organization (APO), Angami Youth Organization (AYO), Angami Students’ Union (ASU) on this issue,” it added.
It is worth noting that the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR) has been asked to take action within 48 hours from the date of incident.
It is worth noting that the Angami Students’ Union gave a ”grace period of 48 hrs” to the IGAR North, to identify the jawan concerned and take befitting actions as per the rule of army and the law of the land. Furthermore, it demanded an “unconditional apology must be tendered in the public domain.”
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Until such time, ASU said that the Assam Rifles must “restrain from moving around the Angami inhabited areas to avoid any untoward incident.”
Various student organizations have also expressed solidarity with the ASU and condemned the incident, while the NSF has reiterated its long-standing demand for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Naga homeland, stating that it continues to provide a cover of impunity for such inhumane acts.
The NSF also demanded the immediate removal of the Assam Rifles camp at D Block, Kohima. “Its presence in the heart of the town has not only caused immense inconvenience to the public, including traffic congestion, but has now also become a source of harassment and danger to our community leaders,” NSF reasoned.