Shillong, Aug 29: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from the SP of Sibsagar regarding the custodial death of a Naga tribal identified as E Henveih Phom (35) due to alleged torture by police at Gelekey police station in the district of Assam on August 21.
The ATR is to be submitted in four weeks as per the directions of the NHRC.
“On 25 August, Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI) filed a complaint and considering the seriousness of the case, the NHRC intervened into the matter (Case No. 301/3/15/2022-AD),” said Tejang Chakma, Programmes Coordinator of the ILAI.
The deceased E Henveih Phom was a resident of Anaki-C village under Mokokchung district of Nagaland. He was arrested along with a woman on August 16 by the Assam police while they were travelling to Gelekey, Assam.
Following his arrest, E Henveih Phom was sent to judicial custody. However, he died under suspicious circumstances five days later.
The deceased’s family members alleged that the deceased was subjected to torture during police custody at Gelekey police station, which led to his death. The family also claimed that the deceased was physically fit and sound at the time of his arrest.
