ASU, Assam Rifles reach resolution after assault incident

KOHIMA — The discord arising from recent assault of the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president by an Assam Rifles (AR) jawan in Kohima has been “amicably resolved” after the soldier tendered an “unconditional apology.”

At a press conference on Monday, ASU executives said that the IGAR (N) had met their demands in connection with the August 9 assault. This included the identification of the jawan, a public and unconditional apology, and a commitment to disciplinary measures.

While the student body had given a 48-hour timeline, it was resolved on August 11 after the Kohima Deputy Commissioner (DC) convened a coordination meeting with the ASU, IGAR North, the officers and the AR jawan.

“The Assam Rifle soldier expressed deep regret and apologised for the incident with the President of Angami Students’ Union while on duty, and having inadvertently hurt his and the sentiment of the Angami Students’ Union,” the DC said about the meeting minutes.

Having tendered an apology, all clarification statements over the issue stand null and void and the whole issue has been amicably resolved, it added.

During the press conference, ASU General Secretary Vimeyiekho Vitso said that the student body would closely monitor the disciplinary action taken against the jawan. He said that the ASU would take further steps if it deems the action is insufficient.

Dismissing an earlier statement released by the Assam Rifles as misleading and “null and void”, Vitso said it failed to acknowledge the assault on the ASU president.

The union also alleged that similar incidents of harassment have occurred on the same road where the assault took place, with civilians being “verbally harassed”.

Maintaining that the road is public and should be accessible to all, he challenged the notion of a “high-security zone,” arguing that it offered no real security if civilians are unsafe on a public road.

Furthermore, he called for the relocation of AR camps situated in the heart of Kohima.

Although this specific incident has been resolved, the ASU affirmed its continued non-cooperation with the Armed Forces, aligning with the position of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).

Framing the recent assault within a larger pattern of harassment enabled by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), the student body maintained that there were cases of raids without any warrant and reasons, as well as cases of confrontation after the armed forces were banned from plying in public roads in the aftermath of the Oting incident in 2021.

It gave a clarion call to the para-military forces and the army to stop harassing and assaulting civilians in the name of AFSPA, cautioning that it would not hesitate to protect and promote the rights of the people.

The ASU appealed to like-minded organisations and individuals to denounce the draconian law, and reiterated its demand to the Government of India that Nagas and their homeland must be free from the draconian law as it violates basic human rights.

It may be recalled that after the assault on August 9, the ASU had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Assam Rifles, demanding an apology, to identify the jawan involved, and take disciplinary action. It also banned the movement of army personnel in all Angami-inhabited areas.

Also read: AR clarifies on August 9 ‘assault’ incident in Kohima