The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), an all-India organisation of lawyers and social activists, has sought Assam governor J.B. Patnaik’s intervention to facilitate the safe return of people displaced by recent Karbi-Rengma clashes to their homes.
After visiting the areas affected by clashes in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, a six-member fact-finding team of the HRLN met Patnaik here last evening and submitted its recommendations which include creating a conducive atmosphere for the relief camp inmates to return home.
According to them, thousands of people are still waiting in the camps fearing a fresh bout of violence. The members of the HRLN team said during their visit the relief camp, the inmates had expressed unwillingness to return home because of a lack of security.
A senior lawyer of Sikkim High Court, Doma Bhutia, who was a member of the fact-finding team, told The Telegraph that Patnaik had assured them that all necessary security measures would be taken. “The governor also told us that he would visit the affected areas shortly to get a first-hand feel of the situation,” she said.
“The Assam government has set a January 20 deadline to send all relief camp inmates home, but a majority of them are reluctant as they are apprehensive about their security,” Bhutia said.
“They have told us that police and civil administration have failed to avert trouble despite giving them prior intimation that such a situation may arise. As a result, these people have lost faith in the government.”
The fact-finding team, comprising Bhutia, Sanjai Sharma, Satya Sagar, N. Sukumaran, Rosemary Dzuvichu and Samhita Baruah, visited Diphu, Santipur and Chowkohola areas in Karbi Anglong from January 14 to 18.
During their visits, the team members met officials and police officers, relief camp inmates and members of civil society groups, among others.
In its recommendation, the HRLN has suggested separation of executive and judiciary in Karbi Anglong. At present, the deputy commissioner is also district and sessions judge which, according to them, has put extra burden on him hampering smooth discharge of his official duties.
The members also submitted their recommendations to chairperson of Assam State Legal Service Authority and judge of Gauhati High Court Justice T. Vaiphei here yesterday.
According to official figures, 3,770 people displaced in the recent violence are sheltered in the relief camps, but according to the HRLN, the total number of people displaced is much higher as many of them are staying in the homes of friends and relatives.
After visiting the areas affected by clashes in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, a six-member fact-finding team of the HRLN met Patnaik here last evening and submitted its recommendations which include creating a conducive atmosphere for the relief camp inmates to return home.
According to them, thousands of people are still waiting in the camps fearing a fresh bout of violence. The members of the HRLN team said during their visit the relief camp, the inmates had expressed unwillingness to return home because of a lack of security.
A senior lawyer of Sikkim High Court, Doma Bhutia, who was a member of the fact-finding team, told The Telegraph that Patnaik had assured them that all necessary security measures would be taken. “The governor also told us that he would visit the affected areas shortly to get a first-hand feel of the situation,” she said.
“The Assam government has set a January 20 deadline to send all relief camp inmates home, but a majority of them are reluctant as they are apprehensive about their security,” Bhutia said.
“They have told us that police and civil administration have failed to avert trouble despite giving them prior intimation that such a situation may arise. As a result, these people have lost faith in the government.”
The fact-finding team, comprising Bhutia, Sanjai Sharma, Satya Sagar, N. Sukumaran, Rosemary Dzuvichu and Samhita Baruah, visited Diphu, Santipur and Chowkohola areas in Karbi Anglong from January 14 to 18.
During their visits, the team members met officials and police officers, relief camp inmates and members of civil society groups, among others.
In its recommendation, the HRLN has suggested separation of executive and judiciary in Karbi Anglong. At present, the deputy commissioner is also district and sessions judge which, according to them, has put extra burden on him hampering smooth discharge of his official duties.
The members also submitted their recommendations to chairperson of Assam State Legal Service Authority and judge of Gauhati High Court Justice T. Vaiphei here yesterday.
According to official figures, 3,770 people displaced in the recent violence are sheltered in the relief camps, but according to the HRLN, the total number of people displaced is much higher as many of them are staying in the homes of friends and relatives.
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