Asian Centre for Human Rights

Subject: Complaint against rape of Mrs Banju Boro under Laodangi village under Dhekiajuli police station under Sonitpur district of Assam by two Army jawans on 8 August 2003.

Dear Justice Anand,

I am writing to seek the intervention of National Human Rights Commission against the rape of Mrs Manju Boro, wife of one Manoj Narzary of Laodangi village under Dhekiajuli subdivision under Sonitpur district of Assam by two Army jawans camped at Batasipur in Chariduar reserved forest in the broad daylight of 8 August 2003.

Two of the jawans entered the house of one Manoj Narzary and taking advantage of his absence in the house, raped his wife Manju Boro (23 years). Mrs Boro is the mother of an eight-month-old baby. Even though Mr Narzary, who was nearby along with the baby, arrived on the spot after having seen Army personnel entering his house, he had to remain a dumb spectator to the armed jawans' inhuman act, due to fear of being killed.

After raping Mrs Manju Boro, the jawans left the place without facing any resistance from anybody. Later, Manju and her husband along with some neighbours came to Dhekiajuli police station and lodged a complaint. She was examined at the Kanaklata Civil Hospital on 9 August 2003.

I shall be grateful if the NHRC could kindly intervene against the rape of Manju Boro by taking the following measures:

- Direct the State government of Assam to order an inquiry into the complaint lodged with the Dekiajuli Police Station pertaining to the rape of Mrs Boro and submit the report to the NHRC within four weeks;

- Direct the State Government of Assam and Ministry of Defence to conduct an identification parade of all the jawans from Batasipur camp in Chariduar reserved forest and that it should be conducted in presence of either the representatives of the National Human Rights Commission or Assam State Human Rights Commission;

- Direct the Ministry of Defence to provide compensation of Rs 500,000 (five lakhs) to the victim; and

- Take any other measures that the NHRC deems fit.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely

Suhas Chakma
Director