CM orders inquiry into killing of innocent farmer in fake encounter

OUR BUREAU

KOKRAJHAR/BONGAIGAON, Dec 29: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has ordered the Lower Assam Commissioner Md. MU Ahmed to inquire into the alleged encounter with the NDFB (S) at Ashrabari (Laopani area) under Bishmuri police outpost in Kokrajhar district on December 28 morning where an innocent farmer was allegedly shot dead in a staged encounter.

The poor tribal farmer was identified as Ratan rzary (40), a father of three children, of Khungri village under Bengtol Runikhata police outpost of Chirang district. He was allegedly taken to Ashrabari-Laopani area of Kokrajhar and shot dead under the pretext of encounter by a joint team of Kokrajhar police and army.

A large public rally was taken out in Bengtol in Chirang district on Thursday. Hundreds of villagers came out to Khungri village and took out a rally to Bengtol police outpost in Chirang district.  The villagers shouted slogans against the extra-judicial killings on innocent people in the me of searching for NDFB (S) militants in the district. The villagers demanded adequate compensation to the bereaved family and punishment to the guilty security personnel.

Talking to a section of media persons, the villagers said that Ratan rzary was an innocent farmer and has been leading a simple life with his family. They alleged that one Jagat alias Jaiklong Gwra, a surrendered NDFB cadre, took Ratan from Bengtol market while he was shopping for Christmas and subsequently, Ratan was shot dead in Laopani area of Kokrajhar district next morning and branded as the cadre of the anti-talk faction of the NDFB. The villagers demanded that the guilty person and the security personnel should be brought to book and punished as per law of land.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Chirang, Binod Kr. Deka said the situation in Bengtol area in Chirang district was under control and the district administration had been monitoring the situation constantly. He called upon all to maintain peace in the area. The SP Shankarbrata Raimedhi also said there would be inquiry over the matter as an FIR had been lodged by the family members.

The joint team claimed to have recovered one AK-56 rifle, a magazine, 11 live ammunition, nine fired cases, one hand grede, a bag, a blanket, two mobile phones and two active SIM cards from his possession. Police sources also said the slain militant was an arms dealer/peddler who according to reliable intelligence input, had in his possession deadly arms and hundreds of ammunition of different caliber.