From a Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Oct 30: The Adi Bane Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW) and Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) Apex have urged the state government to release minors arrested in connection with the October 23 incident in Pasighat, East Siang district, and ensure an impartial investigation into the incident.
A joint delegation led by ABKYW president Oki Dai and AdiSU president Tani Tapo submitted a representation to the state Home Minister, seeking compassionate consideration of the cases involving underage students and juveniles.
The organisations appealed to the authorities to take into account the age, vulnerability and future prospects of the arrested minors, and provide them with appropriate legal assistance. They also sought their release wherever legally permissible under the applicable legal framework.
Stressing the need to protect the rights of children, the two organisations called for strict adherence to safeguards provided under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and other relevant laws governing the apprehension, questioning, custody and handling of children in conflict with the law.
At the same time, the organisations called for a thorough, impartial and evidence-based investigation to identify those responsible for allegedly instigating, misleading or mobilising students and youths to participate in the October 23 incident.
They clarified that their appeal for the release of minors was not intended to shield anyone from legal accountability, but to ensure that young students were not subjected to disproportionate consequences for actions they may have undertaken under the influence or instigation of others.
The delegation further urged the authorities to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against anyone found, on the basis of credible evidence, to have instigated or facilitated unlawful activities.
Emphasising the need for a balanced approach, ABKYW and AdiSU said the rule of law must be upheld while safeguarding the rights, dignity and future of young students.