STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended that interim compensation of Rs 25,000 be paid by the State Government to one Imran Husain, a minor boy who was severely assaulted by an ASI inside the Lahorighat Police Station under the Morigaon district in March last.
The NHRC further directed the Chief Secretary of Assam to ensure disbursement of compensation amount within four weeks and forward the compliance report along with the proof of payment of the compensation amount to the Commission.
The NHRC's intervention came in response to a complaint/intimation from one Monojit Sinha.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the NHRC noted that video footage had surfaced on social media of an ASI named Upen Chandra Bordoloi brutally assaulted the minor boy inside the premises of the police station after the latter was reportedly caught while stealing biscuits and case property from a vehicle parked inside the premises of the police station. The boy was badly injured and no medical treatment was given to him.
Subsequently, the Superintendent of Police of Morigaon submitted a report on June 17 last, wherein it was that a case (151/22 u/s 324 IPC r/w Sec 75 Juvenile Justice Act) was registered at the Lahorighat Police Station in this connection and after investigation a charge-sheet was filed against the delinquent ASI, who had been placed under suspension for indiscipline, gross misconduct and dereliction of duty. The SP further informed that counselling session by trained mental health counsellors had been arranged for the minor boy to ensure that there was no mental trauma post the incident.
The NHRC also observed that the State police authorities clearly admitted and acknowledged the occurrence of the incident.
"This kind of human rights violation caused to a minor person by a police officer indicates the sorry state of affairs. The Commission has taken a serious note of the said incident", the NHRC stated in its letter.
It further mentioned that a show-cause notice under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act was issued to the Chief Secretary of Assam, asking to why interim relief of monetary compensation amounting to Rs 25,000 should not be recommended by the Commission to be paid to the victim. Since no response was received to the show-cause notice, " it appears that the authority concerned has nothing to say in respect of the payment of compensation to the victim," the NHRC noted.
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