Karbi Anglong lynching: Government files 'action taken' report to HC

GUWAHATI: Submitting its action taken report before the Gauhati high court on the safety of tourists and visitors to the Karbi Anglong district following the lynching of two youths in June, the Assam government on Monday said police have been posted at tourist and picnic spots in the hill district and awareness campaigns have been launched to sensitize locals against rumours.
The court had earlier expressed its displeasure with the state government's response. Two youths were lunched in Panjuri village on their way from the Kangthilangso waterfall. The court had ordered the state government, the director general of Assam police and the Karbi Anglong district administration to file an action taken report after this incident on June 8.
The court had taken up suo moto cognizance of media reports while advocate Seema Bhuyan filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking necessary legislation against violence and lynching.
Citing the state government affidavit, Bhuyan had said, "The Karbi Anglong district administration requested the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for publication and advertisement of advisories with regard to various measures to be taken by tourists and nature lovers while visiting interior areas of Karbi Anglong. The forest department and local bodies who run some of the tourist spots like Kangthilangso and Dikrutpi (Bheloghat) have put up display boards citing timing for visitors from 8 am to 4.30 pm."
The state government informed that local village defence parties (VDP) were sensitized for providing assistance to visitors. "Police are patrolling interior areas. Intensive campaign has been taken up against superstitions and branding any person or persons as child abductors (hopadhora) or witch," it added.
Replying to another action taken query (Jhankar Saikia lynching of 2013), the state government said it filed a charge sheet in the case against 19 people in 2015. Jhankar's family alleged police negligence was delaying the probe. "Two policemen-ASI Ramesh Ch. Nath and constable Sheikh Harun Borah-who were accused of being lax in their duties in Diphu when the incident happened, were placed under suspension and departmental proceedings were initiated. The department stopped three increments with cumulative effect on Nath while two increments with cumulative effect were imposed on Borah as punishment," said the state government.
It added that round-the-clock by police was taken up to curb illegal activities while CCTV cameras were installed at important places in Diphu. Bhuyan, who prayed for setting up a high power committee (HPC) for framing appropriate laws to stop lynching, said the state government has sought more time from the court. "The state government said it would submit two more affidavits. The court has fixed the matter for hearing on July 25," the petitioner said. The court had observed that the state government had failed to protect its people.
Assam Police-which set up a special investigation team to probe the June lynching incident-has so far arrested more than 45 people. The police are yet to file a charge sheet.