The residents of Habial village in Golaghat on Thursday staged a blockade of Pandit Hemchandra Goswami road which connects Dergaon with Golaghat at Padumoni TIniali area demanding arrest of Golaghat Deputy Superintendent of Police Partha Protim Saikia holding him responsible for the death of Gyanendra Rajkhowa, a mentally-challenged ex-BSF jawan.
The villagers have demanded immediate arrest and suspension of Saikia and adequate compensation for the family of the deceased. The three-hour blockade that started from 11.30 am threw the traffic out of gear on the Golaghat-Dergaon road.
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The Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Gaurav Bothra and Superintendent of Police Manabendra Deb Rai arrived at the blockade site and after much deliberation the protestors agreed to lift the blockade.
“We came here not to protect anyone. Whatever happened yesterday was very unfortunate and I can assure that guilty will be punished as per law as a case has already been registered at Golaghat police station (no.1054/18) under section 302 of the Indian penal code against Saikia,” said Rai while addressing the protesters.
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“An enquiry under the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Range) has also been initiated against Saikia and the Deputy Commissioner has also informed the matter to the State Human Rights Commission to take necessary action,” informed Utpal Doely, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat.
The DC also appealed to the villagers to give their statements freely before the Magistrate so that the real culprit can be punished.
It may be mentioned here that yesterday a police team, led by DSP Saikia and Rupjyoti Dutta, Officer-in-Charge of Golaghat Police Station went to Gyanendra’s house to arrest him as they had registered a case against him for disturbing the election process and injuring three persons.
When the team reached his house, he tried to chase them away by waving two daggers. The team then opened four rounds of fire in the air but Gyanendra kept on chasing them. So, one of the policemen was forced to open fire at him from his Insas rifle at his leg and later he succumbed to his injuries at Golaghat civil hospital.
In September 2014, the Supreme Court in the case of people’ union for civil liberties versus state of Maharashtra held that that Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees “right to live with human dignity”. Any violation of human rights is viewed seriously by court as right to life is the most precious right guaranteed by Article 21 of the constitution.
It was also held that killings in police encounters affect the credibility of the rule of law and the administration of the criminal justice system. The Supreme Court also issued 16 Guidelines for Investigation of police encounters.