Dimapur, Oct. 8 (EMN): Local authorities in Wokha town have issued clarifications about the alleged assault of a boy at PWD colony in Wokha on Oct. 3 in said colony. Authorities of the colony have denied that the boy was assaulted. Rather, the statement clarified, he was injured when he jumped from the ‘rooftop’ onto a road below during a meeting.
The PWD Colony Council, PWD Youth Organisation and PWD Eloe Hoho (women hoho) issued a press release on Sunday appealing to all in concern to not ‘jump to conclusion.’
The PWD Colony Council, the colony youth organization and the colony’s Eloe Hoho stated that they were compelled to issue the joint statement to ‘bring out the truth against the viral negativity surrounding the incident of the injury of the minor boy, on the 3rd of October, 2017 at P.W.D., Colony, Wokha town.’
“The PWD colony vehemently condemns the biased and prejudicial reports without knowing the background of the boy and his misdemeanour,” the three organisations stated.
The press statement gave an account of what they stated was the turn of events: The colony has reported many incidents of theft and loss of domestic animals. Accordingly, an official circular was issued by the PWD Colony Council on Aug. 5 authorizing the Colony Youth Organization and Colony Eloe Hoho to investigate into the matter.
The press release stated: “On the 29th of September, 2017, the Colony Council received a letter from one lady, resident of P.W.D., Colony, Wokha, attached with the confessional statement and forgiveness sought by the minor boy. In the said letter and the attached document, it is shown that Mr. Rendemo Ngullie confessed that he had stolen approximately about Rs.5000 from the lady on many occasions. The colony council did not take any action upon the boy, because the letter stated that the matter was amicably resolved.”
On the night of Oct. 2, five mobile handsets were stolen from the house of N Sanchio Lotha (Kithan). Accordingly, the FIR was lodged by N Sanchio on Oct. 3, the press release stated.
‘On the fateful day, i.e. the 3rd October, 2017, the colony youth body with the consent of the mother of the boy took him to the commercial building of N Sanchio Lotha (Kithan), at PWD Colony, Wokha, at about 4p.m. and informed S Benrio Kithan, son of N. Sanchio. Accordingly, S. Benrio Kithan went to meet the colony youth and the mother and son who were waiting.’
The mother then told the colony youth to question him and went to the next house, while the colony youth took him for questioning, the press release stated. “The sister of the boy was also in the next house of the place of occurrence. While the youth were asking question, all of a sudden, the boy ran and jumped from the roof top to the road below and got severely injured,” the press release stated.
The colony’s authorities clarified that the boy was not in school uniform, but was wearing T-shirt when the youths interrogated him at about 4 p.m.
“The unfortunate incident is blown out of proportion by one sided reports and burgeoning lies. It will be highly unfortunate if the apex organizations of the tribe without ascertaining from both sides start taking sides on hearsay of one side. This will embolden the younger generation and set bad precedence for others to follow same suit in committing offences,” the press release stated in lament.
According to newspaper reports, the colony’s authorities stated, the boy was taken to the terrace of two-storey building and was assaulted with “huge sticks.”
“It is clarified that the building is one storey and the allegation of being assaulted with huge sticks compelling him to jump, does not arise. The boy being a habitual thief in the colony was threatened for telling lies, but was not assaulted as alleged,” the press release stated.
‘The frontal organizations and the colony council are unhappy with the way the news has been reported and published. News should serve the interest of justice and not in the manner to aggravate the volatile situation,’ the press release stated.
It added that when the boy sustained injuries from the fall, the youths rushed the injured boy to Wokha District Hospital and received first aid and was referred to Kohima on the same day.
‘The youth called the family members from the District Hospital Wokha, but they refused to turn up. Hence, the youth body of the colony took the boy to Kohima for further treatment at Naga Hospital, Kohima. All the expenses were also taken care of by the Colony Youth. It was on the 6th of October, 2017 evening that his parents came to Kohima to take care of him,’ the colony leaders stated.
The organisations have clarified that the minor boy had been staying in the colony for only few months with his sister as a tenant.
“However, his antecedents have tarnished the good image of the Colony and the same is supported by available documents. The colony council and frontal organizations fervently appeals to all individuals and organizations not to jump to conclusion of any event without knowing the reality which can escalate the gravity of the situation,” the press release added.
The PWD Colony Council has declared that the circular dated Aug. 5, 2017 stands. ‘The youth body of the colony was only carrying out its civic responsibility cast upon it by the parent body in the interest of all the colony members. Henceforth, no lies and hearsay should spread in the present case for peace and tranquillity,’ the organisations added.
