APCC moves Assam Governor; Gaurav Gogoi takes up issue with Mamata Banerjee

HUMAN ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION TRADE RACKET

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The APCC (All Assam Congress Committee), on Thursday, demanded a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and judicial probe into the human organ-transplantation trade racket involving many people of the State while Congress MP (Member of Parliament) Gaurav Gogoi has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to carry out an inquiry into the Kolkata-based hospital where the racket has been traced to.

A delegation of the APCC led by State party president Ripun Bora handed over a memorandum to State Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi in the Raj Bhawan.

Looking forward for the intervention of the State Governor "for the protection of the Law as well as the Fundamental Rights and Human Rights of the people of Assam", the APCC has "demanded CBI and judicial probe regarding the ongoing human-organ trade and human rights violation by Assam Police".

The APCC memorandum states, "The illegal human-organ trade racket has been very active since last 5 years in Assam. This market has been unearthed recently in Dharamtul under Morigaon district. Organ brokers — Romen Medhi — an active worker of BJP — and Lilimai Bodo (who are in police custody) unfolds many vital leads to the origin of this crime. They have named two other suspects — Plaban Borthakur and Rajesh Poddar — who are said to maintain a network related to kidney sale in various districts of the State. Absconding Plaban Borthakur set up an office at Ganeshguri – near the capital of the State. In itself, it is a question as to how could it be possible that such a criminal racket has been in operation amidst a high-security zone. It is unquestionably a serious issue to deal with.

"The incidents of kidney-sale racket unearthed in Jagiroad LAC (Legislative Assembly Constituency), the brokers — during the last the five years — have taken kidneys illegally from more than 140 donors. It has come to light that a few families who have taken to Kolkata by the brokers are still in Kolkata. The brokers deceived the donors by paying very less amount than the promised amounts of Rs 4 to 5 lakh per donor. Now, there is information that such kidney brokers are operating this illegal human-organ sale market in different districts of the State. This exposes the pathetic picture of the poverty of the people for which they are compelled to sale their human organ."

The APCC memorandum adds, "Therefore, we urge you to hand over this crime to the CBI for proper inquiry, so that the persons involved in this illegal racket and their modus operandi can come to light. We also request you to immediately direct the Assam Government to arrest the two suspects of this racket — Plaban Borthakur and Rajesh Poddar — who are still absconding. We further request you to direct the Assam Government to pay adequate compensation to all those kidney donors who became victims of this illegal racket."

POLICE ENCOUNTERS & VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: With reference to the alleged violation of human rights and the rising cases of casualties in alleged police encounters across the State in the recent times, the APCC in the memorandum to the State governor says, "We urge you to constitute a judicial enquiry under a sitting Judge of the High Court, to inquire into these series of encounters made by police where a number of accused person died and many got injured."

The APPC further says that such an independent probe is required to "find out the circumstances as to what compelled the police to shoot the accused and also to find out as to whether there were any alternatives to capture the accused alive averting an encounter.

On the other hand, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Respected Smt. Mamta Banerjeeji, I am writing this letter to bring to your kind notice the heinous incidents of kidney removal. As per media reports from different corners of Assam, several people have been victimized by the human-organ trafficking racket.

"As per villagers' statement, the racket targeted villagers who were under financial distress under the pretext of paying them about Rs 3-4 lakh rupees in exchange of kidney. The links of the racket have been traced to Kolkata.

"According to an established newspaper, all activities happened at the Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Kolkata.

"The pandemic has pushed people further into poverty and paved way for such abominable instances. In the hour of grief, we must stand in solidarity with the victims. Remaining committed to the protection of our people, we must send out a strong message to reflect our commitment to the aggrieved.

"Therefore, I humbly request you to instruct the police to initiate an enquiry and verify the substance of these media allegations."

Also read: Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta Orders Inquiry into Kidney Racket

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