Assam rights panel moves NHRC over police atrocities

Guwahati, June 21 (IANS) A human rights group in Assam has sought intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over alleged police atrocities on anti-dam activists in the state.

The Barak Human Rights Protection Committee (BHRPC) of Assam has taken up with NHRC the case of alleged police intimidation of members of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) for opposing the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Power project (LSHEP) in Lakhimpur district of Assam.

The NHRC has registered a case in this regard, and it is under consideration of the national rights panel.

"Police personnel attacked KMSS activists demonstrating peacefully at Ghagar in Lakhimpur district on May 11 this year, and committed atrocities. About 27 activists were kept in detention and their make-shift camp was dismantled by police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)," said W.A. Laskar, BHRPC's director of legal affairs.

BHRPC also alleged that the Lakhimpur district administration had deployed around 300 police personnel to prevent activists from staging protests which, it claimed, clearly violates a Supreme Court ruling.

The Assam-based rights body appealed to NHRC to ensure unconditional and immediate release of detained members of the KMSS and other organizations.

The NHRC was requested to ensure that the district authorities allow anti-dam activists to exercise their right to peaceful protest.

The BHRPC also appealed to the NHRC to ensure legal action against those police and CRPF personnel found guilty, and urged it to take steps to ensure the safety of the human rights activists in Assam.