AHRC directs Assam govt to enquire Kokrajhar killing

The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) today issued a notice to the Assam government directing it to conduct a high level inquiry into the killing of 14 persons in Kokrajhar by militants on August 5.
Taking suo moto cognisance of the killings, a division bench of the AHRC comprising its Chairperson Justice A H Saikia and member Tarun Phookan passed an order directing Chief Secretary V K Pipersenia to conduct an enquiry by a committee comprising three members headed by a retired judge of high court, and the other two members with one each from the police and civil society.

The committee should inquire into the circumstances leading to the killings to find out lapse and laxity, if any, by the district administration and/or the state and to fix responsibilities on the authority or person(s) found to be involved in alleged negligence in protecting human rights violation of people in general and the affected individuals in particular in the BTAD areas, the order said.
The report should be submitted to the AHRC within 30 days of receipt of the notice.
The commission took suo moto cognisance of the news, widely published in vernacular and English dailies, related to the killings at Balajan Tiniali market near Kokrjhar town.

The commission, in its order, pointed out that ethnic violence and terror attacks unleashed in Bodoland Terrirorial Area Districts (BTAD) involving all communities inhabiting the area, has given rise to public outrage and insecurity as safety, security, personal liberties and property of the people have been at stake despite the fact that there have been active civil and police administrations besides the armed forces deployed in the area.
It is surprising and shocking that inspite of such heavy security arrangements people have been killed again, thus violating the basic human rights of the people guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the order added.