People taking to the streets of Longleng on October 27 demanding justice for the two victims of the hit and run incident which occurred on October 25.
• Submits representation to govt
• Says justice unduly delayed
• Demands arrest and prosecution
• Says no to military trucks
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 27
Reeling from the tragic October 25 hit-and-run incident, the people of Longleng took to the streets demanding justice for the two victims. The public demonstration, on October 27, culminated with the Phom Peoples' Council, PhomlaHoichem, and Phom Students' Conference, submitting a joint representation to the Nagaland state government demanding the swift arrest and prosecution of the culprits responsible. It was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Longleng.
The organisations, while expressing “collective anguish” over the tragic incident, held that justice appeared “unduly delayed” despite the loss of two human lives under grievous circumstances. It said, “The incident has caused immense sorrow and outrage among the public, and the affected families continue to suffer while the culprits remain unhooked.”
The representation contained three demands. Swiftly identifying and awarding justice to the people responsible, a transparent investigation to determine “if any official or institutional vehicle was involved,” and adequate compensation for the bereaved families.
It added that timely and just action will provide solace to the victims’ families and restore public faith in the legal system.
The alleged hit-and-run claimed the lives of T AnbaPhom (38 years) and S ChingloiPhom (29 years), who hailed from Auching village. They were found dead on the Tuensang road, between Pongo village and Longleng town, on the morning of October 25. They were on a motorcycle and allegedly runover by a military convoy heading towards Assam from Tuensang. The allegation has yet to be officially corroborated however.
Emotions boiled over later in the day when a convoy of Assam Rifles vehicles passed through Longleng town reportedly headed for Tuensang. The morning’s tragedy fresh, mobs reportedly vented their anger at the AR convoy, pelting projectiles at the vehicles and preventing it from proceeding. Other vehicles of the convoy were also reportedly stopped at the Pongo junction and vandalised.
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Boycotting military vehicles to continue
The Phom People’s Council (PPC), in a press release, reiterated an earlier decision to restrict the plying of military vehicles in the district. It said, “The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the general public have collectively resolved to restrict the movement of all heavy vehicles and army/military convoys along the route until the case is resolved and justice is delivered.”
According to the PPC release, Monday’s demonstration in Longleng town (district headquarters) witnessed the participation of over a thousand people, including school students, and members of various communities residing in Longleng.
It quoted the PPC President YB AngamPhom, as stating that it is the collective responsibility of the administration, law enforcement agencies, and all stakeholders to address the issue with utmost seriousness. He further reaffirmed the PPC’s commitment to stand firm until justice is delivered.
PhomlaHoichem President, A AinyuPhom, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and the pain endured by bereaved families. She insisted that the case be handled with transparency, accountability, and integrity, without any form of manipulation.
Phom Students’ Conference President, C Sham-e Phom said that the victims, whose lives were cut short, were the future of the community. He called for a thorough and transparent investigation, and stronger measures to ensure that no other family faces such a tragedy in the future.
Belong Phom, who spoke on behalf of Auching village, expressed profound grief and agony over the incident and sought the cooperation and solidarity of the wider community.
