NAMSAI : The Tai Khamti Youth Organisation (TKYO) has demanded a time-bound and independent inquiry into the July 17 firing incident involving personnel of the 8 Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district, alleging that an innocent civilian was detained while a woman sustained a bullet injury.
In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation expressed concern over what it termed the silence of the state administration and the Home Department, and urged the government to ensure that the investigation is conducted impartially and strictly on the basis of evidence.
According to the organisation, government school teacher Chau Pulimang Hopak and his friend Nang Kalyani Namchoom were returning to Namsai after attending a birthday celebration when Assam Rifles personnel allegedly opened fire on their vehicle without warning, injuring Namchoom in the leg. Hopak was subsequently detained and booked in connection with the incident.
The TKYO said portraying the two civilians as having links with an insurgent group had raised serious concerns and called for a fair, transparent and independent investigation.
“It is deeply troubling that an individual whom we believe to be an innocent civilian remains in custody while the victim and her family continue to await justice,” the organisation said.
The youth body urged the government to order a time-bound probe to establish the facts. It further demanded that if the inquiry finds any member of the paramilitary force guilty of unlawful action, excessive use of force, fabrication of evidence or abuse of authority, appropriate legal and departmental action should be initiated against those responsible.
Meanwhile, an FIR lodged by the 8 Assam Rifles stated that its personnel had launched an operation on July 17 based on specific intelligence regarding the movement of suspected ULFA (I) cadres in the Lal Pahar area.
According to the FIR, the troops came under fire while approaching a suspicious Wagon R vehicle and responded with calibrated fire in self-defence. The force further claimed that two suspects were apprehended during the operation and requested the police to investigate the incident and initiate legal action against those involved.
The matter is under investigation. (Source: NewsFY)
