From our Correspondent

SILCHAR, June 28: Barak Human Rights Protection Committee, a human rights watchdog, observed the International Day in support of victims of Torture at a function held at Madhyasahar Sanskriti Samiti auditorium in Silchar recently.

Sumiti Debnath, whose son Depal Debnath was killed by the miscreants, was felicitated by the BHRPC. She has been fighting for the justice for her son before the court of law since long. On the day, the organzation also honoured Sahebjaan Bibi and Taslima Bibi of Alipur Basti village, and Hawajan Bibi of Lakkipur, as they lost their husband and son due to a deep-rooted conspiracy by the miscreants, besides Sibir Ahmed Barbhuiya, a scribe, who was attacked because of his investigative reporting against corruption.

The Torture Convention defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain and suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.

Neharul Ahmed Mazumder, secretary, BHRPC, said that every one should raise their voice against the torture. "We must all stand together to make the society free from torture,” he added. He pointed out, "Torture is not only a tragedy for the victims, it is also degrading and injuring those who perpetrate it and to societies which tolerate such outrage.” He also described the importance of the day.

Among other who spoke on the occasion included Imad Uddin Bulbul and Sourindra Kumar Bhattacharjee.