The Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO) has reiterated its demand that no bail should be granted to the two youth accused of attacking political assistant to deputy commissioner’s (DC) Kohima Kezhalelie Lawrence Miasalhou, leading to his death on May 18, 2024.
Reaffirming the May 20, 2024 memorandum, WAYO president Neituolie Peseyie and general secretary Kevirhebi Mor in a letter to DC Kohima through SDO Sechü-Zubza also warned that if any person or group tried to bail them out, they would be held responsible for any untoward consequences.
Recalling the attack on Kezhalelie, leading to his death, by two youth– Neizosetuo Kire and Khrietsonyü Whuorie–, they said it had been learnt that one of them was out on bail, while the other had also applied for bail. They said these developments were a matter of grave concern.
WAYO also called for DC’s utmost serious consideration of the fact that while the case was in the court and though it was also the wisdom of the court to grant or not to grant bail, CCTV footage of the incident which had gone viral clearly showed how the culprits attacked Kezhalelie in broad daylight in the heart of Kohima, resulting in his death.
Noting that it was not even one year and emotions were still high, WAYO said as per court documents only two of the 39 listed prosecution witnesses had been examined to date.
It also pointed out that the role of person in the case and who was released on bail “was only of instigating the confrontation”. WAYO pointed out that it raised a lot of question in people’s minds.
Hence, WAYO cautioned that freeing the culprits at this juncture might lead to disturbances and even serious law and order issue. Highlighting the volatile undercurrent, WAYO urged the DC to take proactive steps for maintaining public peace.