annual report print final.qxd - Asian Centre for Human Rights

INDIA HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2005 Arunachal Pradesh
to face racial discrimination from the State
government. The State government also
continued to remain a mute witness and
sometimes, encouraged the activists of All
Arunachal Pradesh Students Union
(AAPSU) to take law into their hands.
On 4 June 2004 the forest officials
from Diyun Forest Range and the police
personnel forcibly evicted the 25 Chakma
families from their homes at Madakka
Nallah 9 (Sokna Nallah) village under
Diyun Circle in Changlang district. This
was despite the fact that various
departments of the State government had
recognized the village and approved
projects to provide electricity connections
and water supply. The police personnel
demolished the houses with elephants and
damaged the crops. Villagers including
children were reportedly beaten up and 3
women, namely, Smt Ananda Lata
Chakma (29), who was 16 weeks
pregnant, Smt. Biresh Pudi Chakma and
Smt. Lakhi Pudi sustained injuries by the
beating by police. All three had to be
rushed to Tinsukia in Assam for urgent
medical attention. In its reply to a
complaint of Asian Centre for Human
Rights before the National Human Rights
Commission, State Home Secretary
replied that since the victim “was still
pregnant, and there was no abortion”,
there was basically no torture but only
scuffle.
Following the abduction and
subsequent murder of Innaolaong Singpho,
a Zila Parishad Member, allegedly by
miscreants belonging to Chakma
16
community on 3 December 2004, the
AAPSU turned the murder into a
communal issue10 and unleashed fresh
atrocities. One Madan Hajong was killed,
dozens were injured and 33 Chakma houses
were torched by AAPSU led activists.
At about 8 p.m. on the night of 6
December 2004, a group of about 25 locals
from Dirak Pathar under Bordumsa Circle
in Changlang district led by AAPSU
activists burnt down 15 Chakma houses at
Beghenabari village. Many Chakmas were
beaten up. One Lakkhan Chakma
sustained multiple deep wounds.
On 7 December 2004, Bolanath
Chakma and Kemcha Chakma from
Maitripur village were attacked by
AAPSU activists while returning after
selling chilies at Bardumsa bazaar. They
were tortured till they became senseless.
Presuming that the victims were dead, the
AAPSU activists put their bodies into the
sacks, which the victims had used for
carrying the chilies, and dumped into a
drain. After couple of hours, the victims
regained their consciousness and managed
to reach home.
On 9 December 2004, the AAPSU
activists reportedly set ablaze 18 houses of
Chakma tribal families at Dhumpathar
village under Diyun Circle. The AAPSU
activists also robbed the residents of their
cash and valuables and took away their
domestic livestocks like goats, pigs and
chickens. The Indian Reserve Battalion
personnel reportedly assisted the AAPSU
activists. 11
At about 4 p.m. on 12 December 2004,