Arunachal Pradesh’s leading anti-narcotics activist Gumin Mijek has been arrested by Bihpuria police in Assam’s Lakhimpur district for allegedly physically torturing him in police custody. Arunachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Warriors (APADW) NGO president Mize was recently arrested from Itanagar and allegations of arrest and torture have sparked strong reactions across Arunachal Pradesh. The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Arun Kumar (19) and 18-year-old Arun Kumar.
Midge was arrested based on a case registered at the Bihpuria police station in connection with firing on the Assam-Arunachal border. The police registered a case against him under Section 109 of the Indian Justice Code and Section 27(1) and 27(2) of the Arms Act. He was produced in the North Lakhimpur Judicial Magistrate’s Court and remanded in police custody for two days. However, Mize and his supporters have denied the allegations, claiming he only fired his licensed firearm in self-defense when a suspected drug dealer attacked him with a knife.
Members of the organization alleged that Mize was subjected to severe physical abuse while in police custody and that his body bore visible marks of injury. Deceased is Popi Kakati, wife of Rupam Kakati, a resident of Chechar under Bihpuria police station in Lakhimpur district. Rupam Kakati was recently arrested by the Arunachal Police from Bandardewa check post on charges of drug smuggling. So supporters suspect that Mize is being treated like a terrorist in collusion with Assam’s drug mafia.
Gumin Maize is well known for his contribution to drug awareness and rehabilitation of addicted youth in various parts of the state including Itanagar, Chiang and Lower Subansiri. Social activist Amma Bagbi described the incident as unfortunate and said many parents came to the APADW office seeking help to save their children from drugs. East Chiang Zilla Parishad President Ruth Tabing Boko has written to Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung demanding urgent intervention in the matter. They urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma to take strict action against police torture. It is feared that the good relations between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be adversely affected in the future if the governments of both the states do not intervene in this matter in time.
There is no official statement from the administration regarding the allegations of torture in police custody but the incident has created deep concern and discussion among the conscious circles of both the states and the matter is being investigated.