GUWAHATI: The Hmar Inpui Assam Hills Region, along with its affiliated organizations, has condemned the killing of three Hmar youths by the Assam police in an ‘encounter’ on July 17.
The organizations released a joint statement expressing their outrage and calling for justice.
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The statement was issued by the Hmar Inpui Assam Hills Region and its affiliates, including the Hmar Students Association Assam Hills, Hmar Women Association Assam Hills Region, Hmar Youth Association Assam Hills, Hmar Literature Society, Dima Hasao, and Hmar Peoples’ Union Assam.
It read: “We condemn the merciless killings of three Hmar youths by the Assam police under Kachudharam Police Station, Cachar. Such killings are a stark violation of human rights.”
The victims, identified as Lallungawi Hmar, Lalbiekkung Hmar and Joshua Lalrinsang, were reportedly apprehended by the Assam police while traveling in an auto-rickshaw.
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Video footage circulating on social media shows the youths with their hands tied behind their backs, being taken to an undisclosed location.
According to police, the three youths were arrested on July 16, around 4:30 pm at Krishnapur Road and interrogated.
The police claim the youths were in custody before the incident occurred.
“Based on the inconsistency of the reports and various videos circulated on social media, it is crystal clear that the killings were extra-judicial. The policemen involved need to be tried in a court of law for the cold murder of three Indian citizens,” the statement stated.
The Hmar Inpui has called for the Assam government to establish a special commission for an impartial investigation into the deaths.
They also urged the National Human Rights Commission to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and request the Assam government to conduct a magisterial inquiry.
“The dastardly and cowardly attacks against minorities by the brutal police forces should be stopped immediately. Those involved in the alleged encounter that led to the loss of lives should not go scot-free. They should be booked and punished as per law,” the statement added.
Additionally, the Hmar Inpui demanded that the Cachar police in Assam respect the right to life and refrain from curbing the rights of minorities covertly.
They expressed deep mourning for the loss of the three youths and solidarity with their bereaved families.
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.