North East News Agency

Guwahati National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has closed down the case pertaining to the death of 11 people in police firing ar Tura and Willam Nagar on Sepetember 30 last. The decision has been severely critised by several rights body.  NHRC accepted the report of the Meghalaya government that the security forces were forced to resort to firing by the uncontrolled mob at both the places.

“The decision of the NHRC to close the complaint without giving the complainant an opportunity to respond to the report of the state government of Meghalaya violates the cardinal principle of natural justice that both the complainant and the respondent be given adequate opportunity to respond to each other’s submissions,” Suhas Chakma, director of the ACHR, the organization which filed the case before NHRC said.

“The decision of the NHRC is incongruous as it enjoys the power of a civil court and majority of its members consist of retired justices from the Supreme Court of India and High Courts, but it does not follow the basic principles of administration of justice,” said Mr Chakma. 

“By accepting the report of the state government, NHRC has justified the disproportionate use of force and prejudiced the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice (Retd) T C Das that is inquiring into the killing. How can the NHRC close the compliant when the Commission of Inquiry is yet to complete its task?” said Mr Chakma.

Following media report of killing the NHRC had sought comment from the State Chief Secretary on the matter. The State Government informed the Commission that an amount of Rs. 5 Lakh as special financial assistance has been paid to the family of each of those killed in the police firing in addition to Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia and other benefits.

The ACHR also submitted a video clipping of the shooting incident at Tura to the NHRC and demanded reopening of the case based on the footage.

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