New Delhi, 20th September, 2010

Ram Nath Chauhan and Jawahar Singh Gour became victims of excessive use of fire arms against protesters by police in Mailo area under Kheroni police station in Karbi Anglong District of Assam on the 16th August, 2008. On the recommendations of the Commission, the Government of Assam has submitted compliance report that it has paid ` 5 lakhs each to the next of kin of the deceased persons.

The Commission had taken up the case on a complaint filed by Mr. Suhas Chakma of an NGO. On consideration of various reports and the material on record provided by the State Government in response to the Commission's notices, it was found that Ram Nath Chauhan was an advocate, and on the 16th August, 2008 he left his house for Mailo Bazar on his motorcycle when on the way a police party stopped him to show the documents of his vehicle. This led to an altercation between him and a police personnel.

In the mean time, another police personnel took away his motorcycle to the nearby police post. The in-charge of the police post recognized Mr. Ram Nath and offered him a seat. Meanwhile, some persons of Mailo Bazar started raising slogan against the police.

The group became very violent and started pelting stones towards O.P. building and home guards' barrack as a result, the wind screens of the two police vehicles were damaged. At this point, one home guard, without any order from his officers, opened fire on the agitating crowd and grievously injured Ram Nath Chauhan and Jawahar Singh Gour. They succumbed to their injuries while being taken to the hospital.
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