Nagaland Police denies assault charge on AASU protesters

Kohima, Sep 21 : Nagaland police have denied opening fire or rifle butting on All Assam Students Union (AASU) protesters on NH 39 in Golaghat district of Assam on September 15 by Nagaland Armed Police (NAP).

A rejoinder issued by IGP (Hqr) and PRO, Nagaland Police, S T Sangtam last evening, said on September 15, an IR Company of NAP with six vehicles under the command of an Assistant Commandant was proceeding towards Kohima for security duty in connection with the visit of the Vice President of India. Before reaching Gaarampani forest area on National Highway 39 at around 1100 hours about 150 protesters had raised a blockade to the national highway and did not allow the NAP convoy to pass through, but the convoys of BSF and CRPF were allowed. By the time one BSF vehicle was also allowed to pass and the protesters started slogan 'Nagaland Police murdabad'. On seeing the situation turning into an anti-Nagaland Police agitation, the commandant of the convoy took the decision to leave the area in order to avoid further untoward situation that may develop out of the unreasonable attitude of the agitators. Thus, inspite of all the insults heaped upon them, the police personnel in the convoy, did not retaliate but firmly opened a passage for the vehicles to pass through. The rejoinder observed that- the students took out the agitation without the permission of the Golaghat district administration, the students blocked the NH 38, the Nagaland police were on bonafide Government duty, but were detained for over two hours, the agitators discriminated against the Nagaland police by allowing the BSF and CRPF convoys to cross the barricade.

The Golaghat police never turned up at the place of occurrence for at least two hours even though blockade was held on National highway, it said.