Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 16
The Zunheboto police have been accused of custodial torture. According to the father of an accused, who was arrested for an alleged robbery and murder in Suruhoto town on December 26 last, his son (accused) was “brutally assaulted” while in police custody on the night of January 8.
The father, in a letter to the Zunheboto District Police Complaints Authority (DPCA), a copy of which was released to the media, stated that his son Tokivi Yeptho was remanded to police custody on January 7-9. On January 8, between 8:00 pm to 12 midnight, the father claimed that his son was physically assaulted and now battling for survival as a result. It did specify the nature of injury or medical facility where the accused was admitted.
He sought the attention of the DPCA Chairperson stating, “I therefore request your high authority to kindly look into the said matter and take necessary action.”
The letter said that Yeptho was arrested on December 26 in connection to the murder of a boy on December 25 and was placed under police custody for 5 days till December 30. He was again remanded to police custody from January 7-9 during which the alleged torture during interrogation happened.
Meanwhile, the Zunheboto police when contacted by The Morung Express declined to officially comment on the allegation. It though confirmed the arrest of Yeptho on December 26 in Suruhoto town. A police official of the district said that he was arrested for robbery and subsequent murder of a boy, which occurred in the town on December 25.
