annual report print final.qxd - Asian Centre for Human Rights
annual report print final.qxd - Asian Centre for Human Rights
annual report print final.qxd - Asian Centre for Human Rights
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
INDIA HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2005 Meghalaya<br />
custodial death. 6<br />
On 23 February 2004, 1st Naga<br />
Regiment jawans allegedly killed Gujan K<br />
Marak, his wife Baljone R Marak, and<br />
their seven- month-old daughter Nomela R<br />
Marak on the spot when they fired<br />
indiscriminately at their house during an<br />
operation against the armed opposition<br />
groups in Jengrikgre village in West Garo<br />
Hills district. Their 14-year-old son Sabir<br />
Kumar R Marak had a narrow escape with<br />
bullet injuries on his left hand and leg and<br />
burn injuries on his face due to the grenade<br />
explosion. According to Sabir, three<br />
suspected ULFA militants barged into their<br />
house shortly after 10 pm and sought<br />
accommodation <strong>for</strong> the night. Hardly ten<br />
minutes later, the army arrived there. One<br />
of the ULFA militants immediately lobbed<br />
a grenade at the army killing the Major on<br />
the spot. The militants then escaped into<br />
the darkness. But the army personnel<br />
retaliated and began indiscriminate firing<br />
at the house. As the thatched house caught<br />
fire, the mother and daughter were charred<br />
beyond recognition. 7 Initially the army<br />
claimed the victims to be ULFA militants<br />
killed in encounter. But later they claimed<br />
it to be “an IED blast” that killed them.<br />
However the villagers and the local<br />
Member of Legislative Assembly, Edmund<br />
Sangma and the district administration<br />
have <strong>report</strong>edly confirmed that the<br />
deceased were civilians. 8<br />
ii. Arbitrary arrest, detention and torture<br />
The police and central security <strong>for</strong>ces<br />
were also responsible <strong>for</strong> arbitrary arrest,<br />
detention and harassment.<br />
On 31 December 2003, the army<br />
personnel allegedly evicted 23 families<br />
from the Mathura Compound within the<br />
Cantonment area in Shillong by burning<br />
down the houses. Their belongings were<br />
thrown out without serving any notice<br />
prior to eviction. Around a hundred<br />
evicted people had been <strong>for</strong>ced to live in<br />
the open after their eviction. The army had<br />
allegedly illegally occupied vast areas of<br />
land in Shillong. 9<br />
On 1 July 2004, one Rishall<br />
Kharbyngar was allegedly arrested<br />
illegally and subjected to third degree<br />
torture by Sub-Inspector J Koch in the<br />
custody of Sadar Police Station. On 8 July<br />
2004, the Guwahati High Court on a<br />
petition filed by the Citizens’ <strong>Rights</strong><br />
Protection Group directed the police to<br />
produce the victim be<strong>for</strong>e the Additional<br />
District Magistrate. 10<br />
On 9 July 2004, plain clothed army<br />
personnel who were camping at Jagiroad,<br />
close to Mawhati in Ri- Bhoi district<br />
allegedly entered many villages, harassed<br />
the villagers and <strong>for</strong>cibly took away<br />
ginger, potatoes and other agricultural<br />
produce. 11<br />
III. Atrocities by Armed<br />
Opposition Groups<br />
The armed opposition groups in<br />
Meghalaya are Achik National Volunteer<br />
Council (ANVC), Hynniewtrep National<br />
Liberation Council (HNLC) and United<br />
A’chik National Front (UANF) from the<br />
State. In addition, armed opposition<br />
171