NHRC asks MP government for report on SIMI activists' killing

The NHRC on Tuesday asked the Madhya Pradesh government for a detailed report within six weeks on the killing of eight SIMI activists by police in an alleged gunfight.

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) issued the notices to the state Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Director General (Prisons) and Inspector General (Prisons).

"The commission took suo motu cognisance of media reports about the killing of eight SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) undertrials after their escape from the Bhopal Central Jail," an NHRC statement said.

The SIMI activists were killed on Monday on Bhopal's outskirts after police claimed they escaped from prison by killing a police guard with a spoon and plates and forging keys out of "toothbrush and wood" to open the locks of their prison barracks.

The accused, police said, were armed when they were cornered and asked to surrender.

Five jail officials have been suspended from service, including Deputy Inspector General (Jail) and the jail Superintendent. The Additional Director General (Jail) was transferred.

--IANS

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