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Major among 6 punished for violating rights of detenu

Guwahati: An Army major, another officer and four other ranks of 11 Guards Regiment have been punished with disciplinary action including loss of seniority for promotion and pension after an Army Court of Inquiry found them guilty of causing grievous injuries to a youth of upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district, whom they had picked up on suspicion of having links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and for violation of his human rights.

“The Army conducted an inquiry against the defaulters to pinpoint responsibilities for lapses and subsequently two officers and four other ranks were tried by a Summary General Court Martial. On being found guilty of the offence they were punished with loss of seniority for promotion and pension,” said Lt. Colonel Rajesh Kalia, Defence Public Relations Officer of the 4 Corps of the Army at Tezpur.

The victim Nipul Saikia of Kalakhowa village under Khowang police station in Dibrugarh district was picked up by the troops of 11 Guards Regiment on October 9, 2006, on suspicion of having links with the ULFA following which he remained untraced for four days. On the fifth day, the Army took him to a nursing home which refused to admit Saikia for treatment as his condition was very serious. Later he was admitted in the Assam Medical College and Hospital . The doctors found that the youth had suffered blunt abdominal trauma which led to the bleeding and pain in the rectal portion. Family members of the youth had also alleged that the Army personnel had tortured him with electric shock.

The incident led to protesters blocked national highway prompting the General-Officer-Commanding of Dinjan-based 2 Mountain Division Major General N.C. Marwah to institute a Court of Inquiry. The youth was later shifted to the Military Hospital where he was treated till February last year.

“Through this prompt action the Army has demonstrated accountability to democratic norms of governance and determined resolve to ensure that no lapse or no violation human rights take place,” the PRO added.

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