Human Rights Panel Orders Probe Into Assam Police Encounters

An Assam Human Rights Commission member stated firing upon an accused when in police custody or during a chase should not be made a trend.

The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC), taking suo moto cognisance of media reports, has asked the state government to institute an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death and injury of 12 persons in police encounters over the past two months. AHRC member Naba Kamal Bora, in an order, noted that news reports have pointed out all the accused were unarmed and in handcuffs during the police firing. He also stated that firing upon an accused when in police custody or during a chase should not be made a trend. Considering the "gravity of the situation", the commission has directed the state government's principal secretary of the home and political department to institute an inquiry to find out the facts and circumstances leading to the death and injuries of the 12 accused, said the order, which was made available to the reporters on Tuesday.