New Delhi 28th August 2006

NHRC has sought an in depth enquiry report from the Chief Secretary and DGP, Govt. of Bihar into the incident in which four young people were killed by a crowd in the presence of police in Ara. The complainant Shri Prabir Kumar Das, an Advocate and Human Right Activist from Bhubaneswar through his complaint brought to the notice of the Commission a shocking news item telecast by India TV on 7.8.2006 and 8.8.2006. The news covered the killing of 4 young persons on 6th of this month by a crowd, in the presence of police. They were allegedly murdered due to their attempt to steal a buffalo. It was more shocking as the police present there did not take any action to prevent the crime. He prayed for intervention of the Commission into the incident.
Meanwhile Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, Member of Parliament and others submitted a letter alongwith a joint complaint from the relatives of the deceased alleging that the four persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste Community were robbed of their money and later killed by the accused named in the complaint. They also requested for an enquiry into the matter and protection to the next of kin of the deceased and the witnesses to the crime.
After pursuing the case, NHRC has directed that the copy of the complaint alongwith its enclosures be sent to Chief Secretary and DGP Govt. of Bihar for an in-depth enquiry and report within four weeks. The Commission also asked that they should take appropriate steps for protection and safety of the next of the kin of the deceased and the witnesses to the incident.
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