“A notice be, therefore, issued to the Ministry of Home Affairs to show cause why monetary relief of Rs 5 lakh each be not recommended to be paid to the next kin of the two deceased persons”, said NHRC. “Secretary ( Home) Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India shall respond to the show cause notice within six months”.
On June 19, 2009, Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) had filed a complaint with the NHRC against extra-judicial executions of Laishram Kishorjit and Soram Priyokumar by Assam Rifles jawans led by Major Abishek Bharti at Maipi Angbrasu in Chandel district of Manipur on the night of June 1, 2009.
Based on the complaint, NHRC passed the order. Justifying its order for compensation received by ACHR yesterday, the NHRC after examining the report of Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Moreh stated, “According to it, the troops of 20 Assam Rifles led by Major Bharti laid an ambush at Maipi and Angbrashu track on June 1, 2009 at night after receiving information about the movement of some armed militants in that area. The troops saw two persons moving in a suspicious manner on the said track. On being challenged by the troops to stop, the two fired upon the troops. The troops retaliated in self defense. The encounter lasted for about 35 minutes and both the suspects were eliminated.”
The report also said that frantic efforts were made to establish involvement of the two deceased in militant activities but no specific information could be gathered in that regard.
“Thus, we (NHRC) find that the Assam Rifles personnel were not fired at by any of the two deceased persons,”the order added. “We (NHRC) also find no evidence to even faintly suggest that the deceased persons were involved in underground activity. It appears that the two persons were spotted at a desolate track and they were shot dead on the basis of unfounded suspicion. It appears to be a case of extra-judicial killing.”
Welcoming the decision of the NHRC, Suhas Chakma, Director, ACHR, said, “This is a step in the right direction and prosecution of the culprits must start now.”
Source: Assam Tribune
Post a Comment