Global Naga Forum denounces arbitrary detention of Naga theology student by Assam Rifles, calls for investigation

Mokokchung, 20 December (MTNews): The Global Naga Forum has expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the recent incident in which Assam Rifles personnel arbitrarily detained an innocent Naga theology student in Wakka, Longding District of Arunachal Pradesh, on December 15, 2023. The Global Naga Forum finds the lack of justifiable reasons for violating the student’s right to travel home for Christmas appalling and has called for an “immediate and transparent” investigation into the incident.

According to the GNF, this incident is the latest in a series of harassment and persecution cases against innocent Naga civilians by the Assam Rifles, spanning decades back to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958. The GNF emphasized that such actions violate fundamental principles of civilized society and basic human rights, undermine public trust in the armed forces, and contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation, fear, and insecurity that has a direct destabilizing effect on Naga communities.

According to the GNF, the facts of the incident are that the theology student-victim was returning home for Christmas when the Assam Rifles arbitrarily detained him at Wakka town in the morning of December 15 at 7 AM. “Despite the victim possessing a valid student ID and raising no suspicions, the victim was subjected to relentless and unnecessary interrogation until midday on December 16,” stated the GNF.

“The student was traveling in a hired pickup. He was bringing a community Rice Mill to his village, equipment that would have relieved the six-and-seven-year-old girls of the village from having to choose between pounding paddy for hours or missing school and other community activities. It was to save the little girls from this burden that the village women’s society had decided to procure the much-needed Rice Mill for the welfare of the entire village community,” continued the GNF.

However, as per the GNF, the Assam Rifles ultimately decided that the innocent theology student whom they had harassed did not deserve to go home. “They sent the student back to Dimapur, instead of to his village where he was headed for the warmth of home with family and friends at Christmas,” the GNF maintained.

In this regard, the Global Naga Forum called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident to bring those responsible to justice.

“For justice and the rule of law to prevail in a democratic society, there must be accountability even for the Indian armed forces who wantonly violate the basic human rights of Naga people,” the GNF maintained.

“Our thoughts are with the affected student and their family during this distressing time,” it said, and urged the authorities to prioritize the safe return home of the student, along with the Rice Mill. “For how long must the Indian government sanction the abuses of its military against the Nagas?” GNF asked.