Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Organization (AAPYO) has demanded immediate action against police personnel allegedly involved in the custodial torture of Arunachal Pradesh resident and anti-drug activist Gumin Mize.
Addressing a press conference held at the Arunachal Press Club here on Saturday, AAPYO president Kipa Kanam informed that the organization had submitted a formal representation to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SP), North Lakhimpur district, Assam, seeking a fair and transparent inquiry into the alleged custodial violence.
Kanam stated that the incident has triggered widespread concern across Arunachal Pradesh. He said that photographic evidence circulating on social media appears to be genuine, while medical reports reportedly confirm that Mize sustained serious physical injuries during his period in police custody.
He further informed that members of AAPYO visited Mize at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, after his release from judicial custody on May 27.
According to Kanam, Mize suffered severe swelling and other visible injuries, which raise serious concerns about the treatment meted out to individuals under police custody. He alleged that the injuries point towards custodial violence and constitute a violation of fundamental human rights and the constitutional protections guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The AAPYO president said the organization has placed two key demands before the North Lakhimpur Police authorities. These include conducting a fair and transparent investigation into the matter and immediately suspending all police personnel allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the inquiry.
In addition, the organization has sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for Mize, citing the physical and mental trauma he allegedly endured while in custody.
Expressing confidence in the authorities, Kanam urged them to take swift and appropriate action to ensure justice and uphold public trust in law enforcement institutions.
“Mize has done excellent work over the past several years in the fight against drugs. He has facilitated the arrest of several individuals involved in drug peddling in Arunachal Pradesh as well as in Assam,” Kanam said.
No official response from the North Lakhimpur Police had been received at the time of filing this report.
Mize was arrested by Assam Police on May 20 from Itanagar in connection with a case registered in Assam’s Lakhimpur district. He was later granted interim bail by the District and Sessions Court, Lakhimpur, and was released from judicial custody on May 27.
