ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 30: Holding placards  stating “my son is not a terrorist nor a hardcore criminal,” parents of the arrested leaders of Student Union Movement of All Arunachal (SUMAA) including  relatives and well-wishers gathered at  Tennis Court, Itanagar on Monday demanding  their immediate release saying that they were arrested unconstitutionally.

The dharna was organized following arrests of SUMAA Convener, Tarh Rikham and General Secretary, Suraj Ligu, for their alleged involvement in extortion activities as leveled by Market Association including CBOs during their campaign at Bomdila, West Kameng against the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy (TRP).

Reportedly the two leaders, who are on a 12-day judicial custody, have embarked on a hunger strike protesting against what they term as ‘illegal arrest’.

Terming their arrests as a part of political conspiracy to debilitate their movement, Tarh Gumbo, a SUMAA activist, informed that the duo were arrested unconstitutionally claiming that the serious charge of their alleged involvement in extortion activities is yet to be established by the Yupia court.

Clarifying that they are not against any individual or government, Gumbo appealed to the concerned authority and the government to follow the constitutional guidelines and comply with the law before putting innocent men behind bars.

“If they really committed the offence, then the authority can award punishment as per law but it should be first proven in court. Arresting someone who is fighting for the cause of our state is not only unjustifiable but also illegal in nature,” added Gumbo.

He requested the government to withdraw the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2014 imposed against them and immediately release the two leaders before they starve to death due to the ongoing hunger strike.

Extending solidarity, the Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) Secretary, Patey Tayum has also questioned the government regarding the basis on which the leaders were arrested.

“Is it a crime to fight for our rights?  Is it wrong to protest against the decision which is likely to destabilize peace and unity in the future? Is this how government functions in a democracy or treats its own people,” Tayum questioned.

Shocked by the arrest of his son without any valid ground, Rikham’s father Tarh Sillo lamented that an innocent should not be made to suffer ignominy of a criminal trial in the absence of specific and credible evidence.

--

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List