Rallies protest killing of Hmar trio in Assam
Source: Chronicle News Service

CCpur/Silchar, July 24 2024: Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) in collaboration with Hmar Women Union (HWU) organised a protest rally on Wednesday against the killing of three Hmar youths by Assam police on July 16 .

The rally started from Muolvaiphei playground and culminated at the Wall of Remembrance near Peace ground, where a public meeting was held and later submitted a memorandum to Union home minister Amit Shah through the Churachandpur deputy commissioner.

During the rally, slogans like *We demand justice', 'We demand judicial enquiry', 'Assam Police: Down Down' were raised along with display of placards inscribed 'Justice for every citizen of India', 'Fair trial not false encounter', 'Justice delayed is justice denied', 'Stop fake encounter' and 'Fake encounter is the mother of lawlessness'.

During the brief public meet, a memorandum addressed to Union home minister Amit Shah was prepared and submitted through the district's DC by women leaders.

Talking to this correspondent, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights spokesperson Rebecca Haokip alleged that three Hmar youths namely Lal-lungawi Hmar (21), Lalbiekkung Hmar (33) and Joshua Lalremsang Hmar (35) were killed in fake encounter by Assam police on July 16."We are demanding constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing and deliver justice to the deceased trio," she said adding that a memorandum in this regard has been submitted to Union home minister Amit Shah.

The protest rally in Churachandpur district was organised in association with Hmar Women Union (HWU) .

The Assam police had previously claimed that the three youths were members of an armed Hmar group and were intercepted in an auto-rickshaw heading towards the Bhuban Hills.

According to Assam police, the trio was armed with an AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel rifle, and a pistol, along with live ammunition, and were killed during a special operation in the Bhuban Hills after an exchange of fire with suspected extremists.

However, the families of the deceased and various Hmar organisations have disputed the Assam police's account, labelling it as a "fake and staged encounter" .

They have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident to uncover the truth behind the deaths.

The memorandum addressed to Amit Shah sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged extra-judicial killings of three youths by Assam Police.

Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights and Hmar Women Association jointly penned the memorandum, detailing their concerns about the deaths of Lallungawi Hmar, Lalbieklien Hmar, and K Joshua Lalrinsang in Cachar district of Assam.

"We are completely shocked by the appalling facts that have come to light during our inquiry," stated Rebecca Hmar, president of the Hmar Women Association.

The memorandum alleges gross violations of human rights and fundamental protections guaranteed by the Constitution.

The women's groups argue that video evidence contradicts the official police narrative of a shootout with militants.

"The Assam Police lied regarding the cause of death of the victims, which we believe they did so to evade any further investigation that could expose the heinous crimes they had committed," the memorandum asserts.

"The videos clearly show the men cooperating during the arrest.

They posed no threat to anyone," the memorandum read.

Simultaneous rallies were also held at Senvon under Chandel, and in Jiribam and Haflong in Assam with thousands demanding justice for the deceased.

(With inputs from Agencies) .

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