Asian Centre for Human Rights

Subject: Complaint against torture perpetrated by the army on the innocent villagers of Gwmbrikhata village under Gauripur police station and its surrounding areas and Bangshijhora area under Bagaribari police station in Dhubri district of Assam.

Dear Justice Anand,

I am writing to seek the intervention of National Human Rights Commission against the torture perpetrated by the army on the innocent villagers of Gwmbrikhata village under Gauripur police station and its surrounding areas and Bangshijhora area under Bagaribari police station in Dhubri district of Assam on 1-2 August 2003.

The Army excess started after the security forces stationed at Kajigaon, sighted an NDFB militant on 30 July 2003 at nearby Gwmbrikhata village. The NDFB militant managed to give the Army a slip after leaving behind his Mauser and a bag.

Unable to catch the actual NDFB cadre, the security forces conducted search operation in that area and brought at least 315 villagers including women and children irrespective of age and subjected them to inhuman torture.

The seriously injured persons include Bitendra Nath Brahma(45), Harendra Nath Brahma(48), Sebakar Brahma(28), Pradip Brahma(35), Utpal Brahma(17), Jwngdao Brahma(14),Indra Mahan Brahma (33), Ushat Brahma(30), Harsa Vardhan Brahma(15), Heramba Brahma(33), Samarsing Brahma(27), Bijoy Brahma(38), Ramwnda Brahma(35). They were in a very critical condition and were shifted to Dhubri hospital for further treatment.

On 2 August 2003, another hundred people were again subjected to cruel interrogation since in Bongsijhora village in the name of searching for NDFB militants. As the villagers are at the receiving end from both the militants at one end and the security forces in the other, the people there are living a life of insecurity combined with endless woes perpetrated by both.

I shall be grateful if the NHRC could kindly intervene against the torture of the villagers by taking the following measures:

- Direct the State government of Assam to order an inquiry into the alleged atrocities perpetrated by the army on the villagers of Gwmbrikhata village under Gauripur police station and its surrounding areas and Bangshijhora area under Bagaribari police station in Dhubri district of Assam on 1-2 August 2003 and that inquiry should focus on the vulnerability of the victims - children, women and senior citizens and submit a report to the NHRC;

- Direct the State Government of Assam and Ministry of Defence to provide compensation of Rs, 1,00,000 (one lakh) to each of those seriously injured by the torture of the army;

- Direct- Direct the government of India to ratify the Convention Against Torture; and

- Take any other measures that the NHRC deems fit.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely

Suhas Chakma
Director