NHRC holds four cases of encounter in Assam as fake: recommends a sum of Rs.30 lakh as relief to the families of the victims (27.05.2016)

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 27th May, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has found four cases of encounter carried out by the Assam Police along with the units of army and paramilitary forces in different parts of Assam as fake. Out of these, in three cases, the Commission has asked the Government of Assam to pay a sum of total Rs.25 lakh as relief to the next of kin of the victims. In the fourth case, it has asked the Union Ministry of Defence to pay an amount of Rs. 5 lakh as relief.

In all these cases, neither the Government of Assam nor the Union Defence Ministry could convince the Commission in response to its notices that the encounters were genuine and that the armed forces had to open fire in self-defence when they were attacked by the alleged miscreants and suspected extremists.

The case number 80/3/14/08-09-ED related to the death of Piku Ali in police firing in District Nagaon on the 23rd July, 2008. The Commission recommended payment of Rs. 5 lakh as relief to Piku's family.

The case number 46/3/24/2011-ED related to the death of Mriganka Hazarika and Himanshu Gogoi in police firing in Dispur, Guwahati on the night of 23rd February, 2011. The next of kin of both the victims have been recommended payment of Rs. 5 lakh each as relief.


The case number 217/3/16/2011-ED related to the death of Jwnwm Basumatary and Okhophat Basumatary in an encounter with police at Furoibari under Dekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur District on the 22nd June, 2009. The next of kin of the two victims have been recommended to be paid Rs. 5 lakh each as relief.

In all these three cases, as above, the Commission has asked the Government of Assam through its Chief Secretary to pay the relief as recommended and submit the compliance report along with proof of payment within six to eight weeks.

The Case number 210/3/16/2011-ED related to the death of Rojit Narzary @ Abram in an encounter with Assam Police and Assam Rifles in Sonitpur District on the 9th July, 2009. The Union Defence Ministry through its Secretary has been asked to pay Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of the victim within six weeks.
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