Human Rights Defenders Attacked in Hailakandi, Assam
APPEAL FOR URGENT ACTIONS PRGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Event No. 08/2009, Date: 3 July 2009
Subject: Human Rights Defenders Attacked and Injured for Working against Corruption in Assam, India
ISSUES: Right to Defend Human Rights, Right to Information, Development & Employment and Police Inaction.
BARAK HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION COMMITTEE (BHRPC), a human rights organisation working in Assam, India, requests your urgent actions in the following situation in North East India:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION: BHRPC has received information from reliable sources that Mr. Choudhury Charan Gorh, a human rights defender working as Secretary, NGO HELP, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, member, All Assam Students Union (ASSU), Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall, members of the public were attacked and injured severely on 30 June, 2009 in Hailakandi, Assam (India).
BHRPC has been informed that the above mentioned human rights defenders and members of the public were attacked by a team of hired goons comprising of Mr. Kamal Kurmi, Mr. Binod Koll, Mr. Debashish Ree, Mr. Lakkhi Narayan Bhor, Mr. Bharat Ree, Ms. Heeralal Chowhan, Mr. Mahadev Kalindri and others led by Mr. Prakash Bhor at the instance of Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor, elected president of Aenakhal Gaon Panchayat (grass root level unit of the local governance institution—the Panchayati Raj) in a public meeting held at the common campus of J. R. Pandey L P School and Rama Janaki M E School, Aenakhal Bazar, Monacherra under Lala Police Station, Hailakandi, Assam.
The public meeting was convened jointly by NGO HELP, a village level organisation working for practical realisation of rural empowerment, development, right to information and right to employment under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in Aenakhal-Nishchintapur Zila Parishad Constituency, Hailakandi (Assam), Bowar - Aenakhal Unit of the ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union, a local labour organisation to create awareness among the people about various development schemes of the Union Government of India and the State Government of Assam such as Indira Avas Yojana (a rural housing project for indigent people), National Rural Employment Scheme (under the NREGA), Gram Sadak Yojana (rural infrastructure project) etc. and to discuss the scale of corruption in the implementation of these schemes in the area. These schemes are implemented generally through the local self governance system—the Panchayati Raj. The District Magistrate of Hailakandi, Superintendent of Police, Hailakandi, Officer-in-Charge of Lala police station were duly informed and requested for providing security. There was a fear that an attempt may be made to disrupt the meeting by those who are involved in malfeasance in the above mentioned development schemes and projects, particularly the Gaon Panchayat President Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor and his accomplices. But no arrangement of security was made by the police. Hardly the meeting was started at about 3pm on 30 June, Mr. Prakash Bhor, the younger brother of the G P President, made the foray with his team who were bearing weapons such as daggers, sticks, swords etc. The attackers started to assault the organisers and the members of the audience indiscriminately. The organisers ran away to save their lives and the people got dispersed.
The injured persons have been admitted in the Public Health Centre, Lala for treatment and a case has been registered concerning the attack in the Lala Police Station vide Lala P S Case No. 135/2009 under sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 379, 427 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. But so far no visible actions have been taken by the police and administration either to investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice or to deter them from committing further offences. BHRPC has been informed that other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of the ASSU and Mazuri Sramik Union and their families are still receiving threats and living in great apprehension and fear.
The way the attack was conducted and the case is being handled indicates that the perpetrators have been receiving support and encouragement from the persons enjoying political power and the police.
ACTIONS REQUESTED: Please write to the authorities in India urging them
To take all necessary actions to guarantee the physical safety and mental integrity of Mr. Choudhury Charan Singh, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall, and other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union and their family members;
To conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into the incident of attack on them and charge the attackers accordingly;
And to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of corruptions in the implementation of the development schemes in Aenakhal-Nishchintapur Zila Parishad Consituency area.
Or you may forward the following letter adjusting the salutation part to the addresses given bellow:
To
******************************,
******************************,
******************************
Subject: Urgent Appeal Regarding Attack and Threat to Life to Human Rights Defenders in Hailakandi, Assam.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am deeply concerned over the report of attack on the human rights defenders Mr. Choudhury Charan Gorh, Secretary, NGO HELP, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, member, All Assam Students Union (ASSU), and members of the public Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall on 30 June, 2009 in Hailakandi, Assam (India).
I am informed that the above mentioned human rights defenders and members of the public were attacked by a team of hired goons comprising of Mr. Kamal Kurmi, Mr. Binod Koll, Mr. Debashish Ree, Mr. Lakkhi Narayan Bhor, Mr. Bharat Ree, and others led by Mr. Pakash Bhor at the instance of Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor, elected president of Aenakhal Gaon Panchayat (grass root level unit of the local governance institution—the Panchayati Raj) in a public meeting held at the common campus of J. R. Pandey L P School and Rama Janaki M E School, Aenakhal Bazar, Monacherra under Lala Police Station, Hailakandi, Assam.
The lack of police action in providing security to the meeting as requested by the organisers and in investigation of the case which was registered with the Lala Police Station vide. 2009, suggests that Mr. Raj kumar Bhor is using his influence to prevent the due process of law from taking its own course. In these circumstances, I request that you immediately take swift assertive action to ensure that Mr. Choudhury Charan Singh, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, and other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union and their family members remain safe throughout the investigation of the case and after, and that an investigation is ordered into the allegations of corruption in the implementation of the rural development schemes in the area. I also request that the accused in the above mentioned case be taken into custody.
I believe that human rights defenders carry out a valuable and necessary service, often at the expense of their lives. The Government should give their safety utmost priority.
Yours sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Address
Addresses to be sent to:
1. The Prime Minister's Office,
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi-110 011, India
Telephone: 91-11-23012312.
Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857
Email: manmohan@sansad.nic.in ,
pmosb@pmo.nic.in
3. Home Minister,
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of India,
North Block, Central Secretariat,
New Delhi - 110 001
Phone: 23092011, 23092161,
Fax : 23093750, 23092763
Email: websitemhaweb@nic.in
4. The Chief Justice of India,
The Supreme Court of India,
Tilak Marg, New Delhi-110 001 (India)
PABX NOS: 23388922-24,23388942-44,
FAX NOS: 23381508, 23381584, 23384336/
23384533/23384447
e-mail at: supremecourt@nic.in
5. The Chairperson,
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House,Copernicus Marg,
New Delhi-110001, INDIA
Fax: +91-11-23386521
E-mail: covdnhrc@nic.in
6. The Chief Minister of Assam,
Assam Secretariat, Dispur
Guwahati-6, Assam
Phone: (O) 0361-2262222, 2266188, 2237043
( R ) 2360291, 2361112
7. The Chief Justice,
Gauhati High Court,
Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Guwahati-781001
Assam, India
Phone & Fax: 0361-2735866,
0361-2735877
Email: hc-asm@nic.in
8. The Chairperson,
Assam Human Rights Commission,
STATFED HO Building
Bhangagarh, Guwahati
Pin - 781 005 (Assam), India
PHONE: (+91 361) 2529450, 2527076,
2452387, 2457369
FAX: (+91 361) 2529450
EMAIL: secy-ahrc@nic.in
9. The Director General of Police,
Government of Assam, Ulubari
Guwahti-5, Assam
10. The District Magistrate of Hailakandi
Hailakandi, Assam
URL for the pdf format:
http://pages.google.com/edit/bhrpc.net/APPEAL_FOR_URGENT_ACTIONS_PRGRAMME__.pdf
Urgent Appeal Event No. 08/2009, Date: 3 July 2009
Subject: Human Rights Defenders Attacked and Injured for Working against Corruption in Assam, India
ISSUES: Right to Defend Human Rights, Right to Information, Development & Employment and Police Inaction.
BARAK HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION COMMITTEE (BHRPC), a human rights organisation working in Assam, India, requests your urgent actions in the following situation in North East India:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION: BHRPC has received information from reliable sources that Mr. Choudhury Charan Gorh, a human rights defender working as Secretary, NGO HELP, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, member, All Assam Students Union (ASSU), Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall, members of the public were attacked and injured severely on 30 June, 2009 in Hailakandi, Assam (India).
BHRPC has been informed that the above mentioned human rights defenders and members of the public were attacked by a team of hired goons comprising of Mr. Kamal Kurmi, Mr. Binod Koll, Mr. Debashish Ree, Mr. Lakkhi Narayan Bhor, Mr. Bharat Ree, Ms. Heeralal Chowhan, Mr. Mahadev Kalindri and others led by Mr. Prakash Bhor at the instance of Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor, elected president of Aenakhal Gaon Panchayat (grass root level unit of the local governance institution—the Panchayati Raj) in a public meeting held at the common campus of J. R. Pandey L P School and Rama Janaki M E School, Aenakhal Bazar, Monacherra under Lala Police Station, Hailakandi, Assam.
The public meeting was convened jointly by NGO HELP, a village level organisation working for practical realisation of rural empowerment, development, right to information and right to employment under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in Aenakhal-Nishchintapur Zila Parishad Constituency, Hailakandi (Assam), Bowar - Aenakhal Unit of the ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union, a local labour organisation to create awareness among the people about various development schemes of the Union Government of India and the State Government of Assam such as Indira Avas Yojana (a rural housing project for indigent people), National Rural Employment Scheme (under the NREGA), Gram Sadak Yojana (rural infrastructure project) etc. and to discuss the scale of corruption in the implementation of these schemes in the area. These schemes are implemented generally through the local self governance system—the Panchayati Raj. The District Magistrate of Hailakandi, Superintendent of Police, Hailakandi, Officer-in-Charge of Lala police station were duly informed and requested for providing security. There was a fear that an attempt may be made to disrupt the meeting by those who are involved in malfeasance in the above mentioned development schemes and projects, particularly the Gaon Panchayat President Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor and his accomplices. But no arrangement of security was made by the police. Hardly the meeting was started at about 3pm on 30 June, Mr. Prakash Bhor, the younger brother of the G P President, made the foray with his team who were bearing weapons such as daggers, sticks, swords etc. The attackers started to assault the organisers and the members of the audience indiscriminately. The organisers ran away to save their lives and the people got dispersed.
The injured persons have been admitted in the Public Health Centre, Lala for treatment and a case has been registered concerning the attack in the Lala Police Station vide Lala P S Case No. 135/2009 under sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 379, 427 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. But so far no visible actions have been taken by the police and administration either to investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice or to deter them from committing further offences. BHRPC has been informed that other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of the ASSU and Mazuri Sramik Union and their families are still receiving threats and living in great apprehension and fear.
The way the attack was conducted and the case is being handled indicates that the perpetrators have been receiving support and encouragement from the persons enjoying political power and the police.
ACTIONS REQUESTED: Please write to the authorities in India urging them
To take all necessary actions to guarantee the physical safety and mental integrity of Mr. Choudhury Charan Singh, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall, and other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union and their family members;
To conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into the incident of attack on them and charge the attackers accordingly;
And to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of corruptions in the implementation of the development schemes in Aenakhal-Nishchintapur Zila Parishad Consituency area.
Or you may forward the following letter adjusting the salutation part to the addresses given bellow:
To
******************************,
******************************,
******************************
Subject: Urgent Appeal Regarding Attack and Threat to Life to Human Rights Defenders in Hailakandi, Assam.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am deeply concerned over the report of attack on the human rights defenders Mr. Choudhury Charan Gorh, Secretary, NGO HELP, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, member, All Assam Students Union (ASSU), and members of the public Ms Shanti Gorh, Ms. Premlata Ree, Ms Basanti Koll, Ms. Gouri Koll, Mr. Bimal Mall on 30 June, 2009 in Hailakandi, Assam (India).
I am informed that the above mentioned human rights defenders and members of the public were attacked by a team of hired goons comprising of Mr. Kamal Kurmi, Mr. Binod Koll, Mr. Debashish Ree, Mr. Lakkhi Narayan Bhor, Mr. Bharat Ree, and others led by Mr. Pakash Bhor at the instance of Mr. Raj Kumar Bhor, elected president of Aenakhal Gaon Panchayat (grass root level unit of the local governance institution—the Panchayati Raj) in a public meeting held at the common campus of J. R. Pandey L P School and Rama Janaki M E School, Aenakhal Bazar, Monacherra under Lala Police Station, Hailakandi, Assam.
The lack of police action in providing security to the meeting as requested by the organisers and in investigation of the case which was registered with the Lala Police Station vide. 2009, suggests that Mr. Raj kumar Bhor is using his influence to prevent the due process of law from taking its own course. In these circumstances, I request that you immediately take swift assertive action to ensure that Mr. Choudhury Charan Singh, Mr. Shyama Prasad Kurmi, and other members of NGO HELP, Local Unit of ASSU and Mazuri Shramik Union and their family members remain safe throughout the investigation of the case and after, and that an investigation is ordered into the allegations of corruption in the implementation of the rural development schemes in the area. I also request that the accused in the above mentioned case be taken into custody.
I believe that human rights defenders carry out a valuable and necessary service, often at the expense of their lives. The Government should give their safety utmost priority.
Yours sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Address
Addresses to be sent to:
1. The Prime Minister's Office,
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi-110 011, India
Telephone: 91-11-23012312.
Fax: 91-11-23019545 / 91-11-23016857
Email: manmohan@sansad.nic.in ,
pmosb@pmo.nic.in
3. Home Minister,
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of India,
North Block, Central Secretariat,
New Delhi - 110 001
Phone: 23092011, 23092161,
Fax : 23093750, 23092763
Email: websitemhaweb@nic.in
4. The Chief Justice of India,
The Supreme Court of India,
Tilak Marg, New Delhi-110 001 (India)
PABX NOS: 23388922-24,23388942-44,
FAX NOS: 23381508, 23381584, 23384336/
23384533/23384447
e-mail at: supremecourt@nic.in
5. The Chairperson,
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House,Copernicus Marg,
New Delhi-110001, INDIA
Fax: +91-11-23386521
E-mail: covdnhrc@nic.in
6. The Chief Minister of Assam,
Assam Secretariat, Dispur
Guwahati-6, Assam
Phone: (O) 0361-2262222, 2266188, 2237043
( R ) 2360291, 2361112
7. The Chief Justice,
Gauhati High Court,
Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Guwahati-781001
Assam, India
Phone & Fax: 0361-2735866,
0361-2735877
Email: hc-asm@nic.in
8. The Chairperson,
Assam Human Rights Commission,
STATFED HO Building
Bhangagarh, Guwahati
Pin - 781 005 (Assam), India
PHONE: (+91 361) 2529450, 2527076,
2452387, 2457369
FAX: (+91 361) 2529450
EMAIL: secy-ahrc@nic.in
9. The Director General of Police,
Government of Assam, Ulubari
Guwahti-5, Assam
10. The District Magistrate of Hailakandi
Hailakandi, Assam
URL for the pdf format:
http://pages.google.com/edit/bhrpc.net/APPEAL_FOR_URGENT_ACTIONS_PRGRAMME__.pdf
Shared via AddThis
No comments:
Post a Comment