Justice sought for Ratneswar Brahma, action against guilty officers demanded

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 15: The shraddha of Ratneswar Brahma (45), a villager of Borgamai under Bijni police station in the district who was picked up by the army stationed at Panbari on the evening of June 26 for interrogation, was performed at Borgamai on Wednesday.

Leaders of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), All Bodo Women Welfare Federation (ABWWF), local and Borgamai village public committee in Chirang took part. MLA Kalamsing rzary iugurated the Ratneswar Brahma tomb which was made by marble and is situated at PWD Road Panbari in Chirang district. More than 3,000 people along with various organizations leaders participated in the shraddha ceremony.

Promod Boro, president of  ABSU, Anjali Daimary of WJF, Jebraram Moshahary, Kamalsing rzrary, MLA, Rwngwra rzary, Guneswar Goyary, MCLAs, BSS and Chirang district Tribal Sangha, intellectuals, NGOs and local people offered flowers at his tomb in the morning. The wife of Ratneswar Barhma, Sabotri Brahma offered the floral tribute at his residence. The floral tribute for the people and well wishers was held at the tomb.

Promod Boro, president of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), strongly condemned the cold blooded killing of innocent people in the search for militants in the BTAD region.  He said the victim’s family had to get justice. Boro also alleged that the Assam Government and the Centre not yet given compensation to the victim’s family.

Anjali Daimary president of Women Justice Forum, Rwngwra rzary, PCDR MCLA, Jebraram Mooshary, Chief Coorditor of the People’s Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement condemned the brutal killing of Ratneswar Brahma. They said that the Bodo community had to fight for justice unitedly against the killers. All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), All Assam Tribal Sangha(AATS), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), All Bodo Women  Welfare Federation (ABWWF) and local people submitted memorandum to the Union Home Minister Rajth Singh and Union Minister Kiren Rijuju, copy of which were also sent to Assam Governor,  the Chief Minister, Human Right Commission and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Gajraj Corps, Tezpur demanding action against the guilty officers and justice to the family.

Sabotri Brahma, wife of Ratneswar, said that her husband was picked up by the Panbari army last month and died at a private nursing home in Bongaigaon where he was admitted after being injured due to alleged torture by the army. The family members lodged an FIR against the officer in-charge of the Panbari army camp accusing the army of torturing him leading to his death. She also appealed for compensation from the government.

In response to the Magisterial Enquiry order of the DM, Chirang on the death of Ratneswar Brahma of village Bargaon (Panbari) by the Army, 7th Sikh Li Regiment on June 28, the Enquiry Officer Gakul Ch. Brahma, Election Officer and Executive Magistrate, Bijni has started the inquiry work by setting up the office at his own office chamber at SDO (C) Office, Bijni. In this connection, he called upon the public, heads of the social organizations, student bodies, family members and relatives of the deceased person for furnishing evidences, documents, statements on facts related to the incident, to him within July 21.