Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23
An end to the economic blockade imposed by the influential All Assam Students Union (AASU) against Nagaland could be in sight following what was seen as a breakthrough development with the Nagaland government placing under suspension the company commander who was in-charge of the 12th (NAP) IR Company involved in the alleged assault and injury of ASSU protestors at Pholongoni, Golaghat on September 15. PRO of the police headquarters, Kohima, IGP ST Sangtam when contacted, confirmed the suspension of the concerned officer today. It was also learned that a letter from the state secretariat, informing of the action was dispatched to the AASU through the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat today itself.
Hopes of an end to the AASU imposed indefinite economic blockade arose Thursday evening as a crucial late night meeting between the NSF and the AASU was scheduled at Golaghat. At the time of filing this report NSF leaders were also en-route to Golaghat to attend the meeting. The Morung Express learned about the positive development through the General Secretary of the NSF, O. Wati Jamir, who was on way to Golaghat.
Jamir informed that the NSF team, led by its President Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, included former Presidents NSN Lotha, Achumbemo Kikon besides other executives.
Jamir however said that any outcome will be known only after the meeting.
The late night meeting appears to be a serious effort on both sides to resolve the problem at hand. Hectic behind the scene parleys have been continuing throughout the last two days with both AASU and the NSF in close contact. It was informed that top AASU leaders including Advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya were also on their way to Golaghat to meet NSF officials later in the night.
President of the AASU, Shankar Prasad Ray corroborated the receipt of the letter from the Nagaland government about the suspension of the police officer. Speaking to this Reporter on his way to Golaghat, a somewhat upbeat Ray said that an AASU delegation comprising of its central committee members, advisor and the general secretary were heading to the meeting venue. He also said that any developments would be known only after the meeting.
Concerned cops summoned to Kohima by inquiry committee
Meanwhile, the 12th (NAP) IR police officers who were present during the alleged assault on student protestors at Pholongoni on September 15 last have been summoned to Kohima. The concerned policemen were called to appear before the three-member inquiry committee, instituted to probe the incident, for a hearing at Kohima on Monday next, September 27.
This was disclosed by member of the probe team K N Chishi, Secretary Law & Justice, while speaking to The Morung Express on Thursday evening.
Asked on the progress of the inquiry, Chishi said that they are doing all that is at their disposal to come up with a report within the stipulated timeframe of 15 days. Queried on the outcome of the probe team’s visit to Golaghat on September 22, Chishi replied that aside from meeting AASU members, civil society representatives and the Golaghat district administration, they also visited some of the injured at Golaghat district hospital. The team recorded the statement of the injured students and collected the medical report for scrutiny, Chishi disclosed.
He said that they could not meet all of the injured but have asked the concerned medical officers there to collect and send the same for the probe team’s examination. He added that the committee assured all the members present at the meeting that they will conduct an impartial inquiry.
The committee was provided with still images and video footage of the September 15 incident during the visit. To this Chishi commented that they are yet to go through the visual evidence which they were provided.
