NEW DELHI: Alleged human Fight violations by security forces have added fury to the psyche of the North east people, already nursing case of neglect and alienation, according to the National Human Right Commission (NHRO). ‘The commission said also preva Tent is a feeling among the masses that economic measures are being taken by the Center in the Northeastern states only as a consequence of agitations.

Members of the NHRE recently visited Assam and Meghalaya to sob serve the situation in the region from where the commission has received complaints of human rights violations.

Tn Assam, “the tenor of the allegations against the Army has been that the operation by it has been leading to a greater degree of alienation of the population,” the commission said in a report, adding “in particular, it has also been alleged that provision of armed forces (special power) Act were being misused.”

Upon receipt of a memorandum by the All Assam Student Union: (AASU) which alleged the death of five youths at the hands of security forces in Tinsukiain February, and as demanded by opposition leaders, human right activists and newspaper editors, the commission has called for a report from the defence ministry, the report said.

The commission report said ‘Assam chief minister Hitishwar Sakia told the NHRC that operations were conducted jointly by a magistrate, civil police and Army that “in the respect of Tinsukia incident, the Army had perhaps ‘undertaken the operation without involving the civil administration.

Individuals, organizations and government officials of the two States

Met the commission and had discussions on a variety of subjects on human rights as also problems of economic development and social tensions, particularly,” said a recent report released by the commission.

‘The commission has also asked the Arunachal Pradesh government to take all possible measures for the safety of life and property of Hajongs and Chakmas permanently settled in the state.

‘The directive was issued on September 29 in the wake of alleged harassment of the two tribes, by student unions” “Quit Arunachal’ ultimatum served on Chakma and Hajong refugees in the state.

‘The commission subsequently also received messages from Amnesty International and Indian nongovernmental organizations on the same issue, it said.

It has called upon the state government for prompt action and sent a copy of the message to the home ministry to ensure proper action, the commission added.

‘The commission in a separate report said it closed its first case on the basis of action taken by Meghalaya government in connection to a custodial death in the ‘State. “Following intervention by the commission, the state government not only suspended the concerned officer but also started criminal proceeding against him. The state. Government awarded a compensation of Rs 50,000 to the victim’s family and gave a job to one of the family members of the victim,” it said in a separate report, adding that the commission appreciated the steps taken by the state government. NHRC also commended the “unambiguous attitude of chief minister S, C. Marak towards the protest against mining, milling and processing of uranium in the state ex Minister R. Kharshing and S.D. Nichols Roy had complained to the commission that extraction of uranium would expose the people of the area to heavy doses of radio activity.

Roy is understood to have told the members of the commission that he was in touch with nuclear scientists in the UK and US and that they had also expressed similar views.

‘The commission has so far visited Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Meghalaya, ‘Assam and Punjab since its inception in October last year, sources at the commission said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 25, 1994