ITANAGAR/PASIGHAT, 26 May: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday expressed concern over the alleged custodial torture of anti-drug activist Gumin Mize, as widespread protests erupted across the Siang belt and Dibang Valley district over his arrest by the Assam Police.

The state government has taken up the matter with Assam, with Khandu stating that he personally intervened after coming across the incident on social media.

Speaking to reporters here, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh could not interfere in another state’s judicial process but had strongly conveyed its concerns to the Assam government.

“Mize has done excellent work here for the past several years against drugs. He has even facilitated the arrest of several individuals involved in drug peddling,” the chief minister said.

Describing the development as unfortunate, Khandu informed that he has specifically requested the Assam government to ensure that no torture or mistreatment takes place while Mize remains in custody.

He added that the state government is closely monitoring the situation.

Mize (43), president of the Arunachal Anti-Drug Warriors (APADW), was arrested by the Assam Police from Itanagar on 20 May in connection with Bihpuria Police Station Case No 72/2026 registered in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.

He was booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with provisions of the Arms Act.

The arrest was made based on an FIR filed by Popi Kakoti, wife of Rupam Kakoti.

According to the FIR, the case relates to an alleged violent incident that took place on 15 May at Sessa Rajgarh in Assam, where a group of 12 to 15 unidentified persons allegedly stormed a residence, assaulted family members, brandished firearms and looted cash and mobile phones.

The complainant alleged that the attackers had arrived in three vehicles looking for her husband, Rupam Kakoti. When he allegedly attempted to flee, he was chased, physically assaulted, handcuffed and fired upon. The FIR further alleged that the complainant was also assaulted while trying to intervene.

Police said that Mize was arrested in connection with the case following allegations that gunshots were fired during the confrontation.

However, supporters of the activist claim that he had gone to the area in connection with anti-drug operations and had allegedly fired warning shots in self-defence after being attacked by suspected drug peddlers.

Rupam Kakoti had earlier been arrested by the Arunachal Pradesh Police on charges of peddling drugs.

Soon after Mize’s arrest, photographs and videos purportedly showing bruise marks and injuries on his body surfaced on social media, triggering widespread public anger and demands for justice from student unions, civil society groups and anti-drug activists across the Northeast.

The incident has sparked strong emotional reactions in Arunachal, where Mize is widely known for spearheading anti-drug awareness campaigns and assisting in operations against drug trafficking networks.

Several organisations and citizens have alleged that his anti-drug activism may have made him a target of people with vested interests linked to narcotics activities in the region.

The Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) and several other social organisations raised concern over the incident and alleged that the arrest was part of a conspiracy to suppress the voice of anti-drug activists by the Lakhimpur district police.

Raising grave concern over the alleged police atrocity and custodial torture of Mize, the organisations demanded that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) institute an inquiry and act against erring police officials for violation of human rights.

The AdiSU, along with local student unions, has decided to enforce a 12-hour East Siang district bandh on 27 May to protest the arrest.

Amid the growing controversy, a formal complaint has also been lodged before the NHRC, alleging custodial torture of the activist at the Bihpuria police station in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.

The complaint, filed by Namsai resident Buteng Tayeng, accused police personnel of subjecting Mize to severe physical assault, verbal abuse and denial of proper medical examination while in custody.

The petition urged the NHRC to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations and initiate strict action against those responsible.

However, authorities at Bihpuria police station denied allegations of custodial torture and claimed that the viral photographs and videos circulating on social media were AI-generated.

Meanwhile, the Lakhimpur SSP also rejected the allegations of custodial torture, stating that the police interrogated the accused as per procedure.