Assam Rights Panel Seeks Government Status Of Inquiry Into Violent Eviction

Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952 makes it necessary that a Commission is formed within 21 days of an incident caused by government that impacts masses.

The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has asked for a clarification from the state Home department if a Commission of Inquiry has already been set into the eviction drives in central Assam, days after videos emerged of a man being thrashed and shot to death during a brutal clash between the police and people protesting eviction.

The clarification was sought by the Commission as it finds "a prima facie case of violation of human rights" appears to exist to take "cognizance of the matter for enquiry".

"Before taking cognizance it would be expedient to ask the Home Department to inform whether a Commission under the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952 has been instituted to enquire into the incident that took place recently at Garukhuti, Dholpur in Darrang district, so that the next course of action can be initiated from the end of the Commission," the letter addressing the Principal Secretary of Assam Home and Political Department said.

The commission was moved by the leader of the opposition in Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, through a letter on September 25 urging to "take suo-motu cognizance of gross violations of human rights and fundamental rights as well as UN guidelines by the government while evicting people in some areas of the state, especially in Darrang district recently."