DIMAPUR, AUGUST 2 (MExN): The Minority Department of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday strongly condemned what it described as a “brutal assault” on Anwar Hussain, a 22-year-old construction worker who was allegedly pushed from the fourth floor of an under-construction building in Kohima on July 31.
In a press statement issued on August 2, the department stated that Hussain was left “fighting for his life with grievous injuries, including multiple rib fractures, and undergoing critical surgeries” following the incident.
The NPCC Minority Department said it "vehemently condemns" the act and raised concerns over the alleged involvement of “unauthorized individuals who, under the pretext of verifying the victim’s Inner Line Permit (ILP), subjected him to abuse and violence.”
“Such vigilante actions are illegal, inhumane, and a direct violation of the victim’s rights as a bonafide Indian citizen holding valid documentation,” it stated.
Calling for an “immediate, transparent, and thorough investigation,” the department demanded the “swift arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators.”
“The accused must face the full force of the law, and the directive for them to bear the victim’s medical expenses must be strictly enforced,” it added.
The statement also underscored what it called the “urgent need to protect minority communities and non-Naga in Nagaland.” It said, “No individual or group has the right to harass, assault, or intimidate anyone—especially laborers and tourists—under the guise of checking ILPs or targeting 'outsiders.'”
Extending solidarity with the victim and his family, the NPCC Minority Department urged the state administration to ensure that Hussain receives “comprehensive medical care and financial support.”
It further appealed to the government to “launch awareness campaigns to reinforce communal harmony and respect for all citizens,” and to “establish clear protocols to hold vigilante groups accountable and safeguard vulnerable communities.”
“Nagaland’s strength lies in its unity and diversity. We call upon every citizen, civil society, and the government to uphold justice, humanity, and the constitutional rights of all people,” it stated, adding, “Let this be a turning point toward a safer, more inclusive Nagaland.”
