Juvenile beaten by duty officer in Kohima

Dimapur, October 31 : A Juvenile was brutally beaten up in North Police station in Kohima by a duty officer after he allegedly came drunk to the police station. The victim is from Thenyizumi village under Phek. The incident took place on October 24 when a teacher accused the boy of theft at DBS area in Kohima. According to a source, the victim is a 17-year-old studying in Government Higher Secondary School, Seikhazou. Earlier the boy had visited the teacher’s house who was a neighbour a day before he was accused of the theft. He was accused of stealing the teacher’s academic documents, appointment letter, wallet and a cash of Rs 40 thousand. After the teacher lodged a complaint at North Police Station Kohima the boy was taken to the Police station. According to a press release from the Swurotsomi Clan of Thenyizu, the boy was taken into custody as a stolen suspect. Accordingly the duty officer of North PS. Kohima along with the complainant arrested the boy, it stated. “The ill fate (sic) juvenile was then tortured night long from foot to head by the duty officer. The duty officer used 6 police lathis which all were stroke into pieces. After being quenched of his thirst, the duty officer took the victim outside the lockup and started shooting video of the victim and spoke of unbearable words. After everything was done, the complainant found that his money was misplaced only in his room so he hurriedly comes (sic) and released the victim.” However, the police have denied the incident. The Sub – Divisional Police Officer (South) and PRO of Kohima police, Atu Zumvü said that he was not aware of the incident. However the officer-in-charge of North PS, William Kaurinta said that both the parties came into an understanding and the case was closed. He also claimed that he was not aware of the juvenile being beaten up in the police station or kept in lockup for the night. However a source close to the victim said that “he was kept in lockup at North Police station on October 24 night and released on October 25 morning after being beaten up by the duty officer.” The Swurotsomi Clan of Thenyizu has requested the Director General of Police to do the needful. “It is regretted to say that an innocent boy gifted by God to rescue the lives of a hand-to-mouth family was now forced to frustration by the hyperactive action of your subordinates. It has demanded justice for the boy and placed a charter of demands. The boy was taken to Naga Hospital for treatment after being released.