Amnesty India on Friday said the targeted killings of five Bengali speaking people in Tinsukia in Assam on Thursday are reprehensible.
Reacting to reports of the killing of five Bengalis at Tinsukia in Upper Assam, Aakar Patel of Amnesty India said, “Targeted killings of Bengalis in Assam are reprehensible. The Assam government needs to ensure the right to life of all persons living in the state. The Assam government must take strict action against any group that indulges in violence and fear mongering. It must ensure that all persons living in the state are safe and can lead a life of dignity.”
“There is already a climate of fear and stigma consequent to exclusions from the National Register of Citizens. It is time that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal takes proactive steps to prevent further violence.”
Five to six people dressed in Army fatigue picked up six persons from a Bengali dominated village and then shot at them killing five of them on the spot. One managed to escape miraculously. The ULFA (I) led by Paresh Baruah disowned the responsibility in the killings.
On October 13, ULFA-I claimed responsibility for a low intensity blast near Guwahati.