AHRC takes cognisance of media reports

Assam Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognisance of media reports on the death of four persons in an alleged exchange of fire between security forces and ULFA on April 20 in Tinsukia district.
Taking cognisance of newspaper and TV reports on the death of four persons - an Assam police sub-inspector commando, an innocent person and two ULFA activists, a division bench of AHRC has taken suo-motu cognisance of the case and issued notice to the state director general of police to inquire into the matter, sources said.
The bench, comprising chairperson Justice A H Saikia and member Tarun Phookan directed the probe be conducted by an officer of the rank of an additional director general of police and the report be submitted within 45 days after receipt of the notice.

It also ordered the DGP to deal in an 'exhaustive manner' how the commando officer and an innocent person lost their life in tackling only two suspected ULFA militants, as per the notice.
The inquiry would also look into the burning down of the house where militants were hiding and depriving shelter to members of the family, the sources said.
The division bench in another order issued notice to the state commissioner and secretary, health and family welfare department to conduct an inquiry into the death of three infants and the mother of one of them in Sibsagar civil hospital on April 19 due to alleged negligence of doctors and nurses.

The report of the inquiry in this case is to be submitted within 30 days after receipt of the notice.