Protests against Army Atrocities Fuels Inter-Community Clashes in Assam

A blockade of National Highway by protesters in Tinsuiki District of Assam against the killing of a youth by Indian Army personnel in an alleged fake encounter spiralled into inter-community clashes after angry adivasi tea garden labourers attacked the supporters of the Blockade with sharp weapons on Sunday, May 13 2007.

The Assam Tribune reports:

"The death toll in the Doomdooma area increased to eight as tension continued following clashes between two groups of people at Tiphuk and Rupai Siding since Sunday evening.

[...]

...the police today opened fire on an irate mob at the Hansara area around 8 am, following which one person died and two of them sustained serious injuries. The dead has been identified as Sukra Tati (42)."

The Sentinel further states:

"In another incident, one protester died while 40 others were injured when the truck they were travelling turned turtle near the Kakopathar BDO office at Sikolijan Khumsang gate this morning. The administration was taking the protesters blocking the road on a truck (AS-21-3610) from Rupai to Kakopathar. The deceased has been identified as Babul Das (30) of Kakopathar. The injured were rushed to the Tinsukia Civil Hospital and Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh.

Meanwhile, curfew has been extended to Digboi from this morning with Army jawans staging a flag march at Kakopathar, Pengeri, Bordumcha and Doomdooma to prevent any untoward incident."

In a related news, The Morung Express reports:

"Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has sent an SOS to his Asom counterpart Tarun Gogoi as crisis of essentials deepened in Dibang valley and Lower Dibang valley districts in the state due to blockade of National Highway number 37 in the neighbouring state."

Army Confesses to Fake Encounters in Assam

Calling the killing of a youth in Assam last week "unfortunate", Indian Army officials in Guwahati said on Thursday they have ordered a probe to punish guilty officials involved in the fake encounter.

"The killing of Budheswar Moran was unfortunate," Major General NC Marwah, general-officer-commanding (GOC) of the second Mountain Division, told reporters. "I assure you that the inquiry would be impartial and those found guilty will be punished," he added.

The killing of 24-year-old Moran in an alleged encounter over the weekend in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district has led to protests with hundreds of people blocking highways since Monday near Doomdooma, 515 km east of Guwahati. The army had claimed Moran was a "hardcore militant" of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). But locals and family members say that Moran was innocent and that he had no links with any rebel group.The army on Wednesday announced a court of inquiry.

The Assam government also ordered an independent probe to investigate the death following the widespread protests."The very fact that the GOC admitted to the fake killing vindicates our stand that such state-sponsored terrorism is rampant in Assam in the name of countering militancy," said Lachit Bordoloi, who heads the Manab Adhikar Sangram Samity (MASS), a leading rights group in Assam. [Source: Morung Express]

Irom Sharmila Granted Bail

A Delhi court on Friday granted bail to human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death for over six years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. She has been charged with attempt to commit suicide. For details see this report.