After Manipur SC seeks response from Assam over alleged fake encounters

The Supreme Court after seeking responses from Manipur government over 1500 fake encounter killings in the state, now the Apex body has sought responses from the Centre and Assam government on a PIL accusing the armed forces and state police of allegedly being involved in fake encounters in the state.

A bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notices to the CRPF and the National Human Rights Commission among others.

The bench on Monday also sought responses from General Officer Commanding of 4 Corps and chairperson of Operational Group, Unified Command — Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) — CRPF commandant posted in Chirang district of Assam.

The petition has been filed by former bureaucrat EAS Sarma in which names of some of the senior officials of the central forces has also come to light.

The PIL is based on a report filed by CRPF IG Rajnish Rai in April 2017 alleging "cold blooded fake encounter killing of two suspected members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) faction" on March 30 last year in Assam's Simalguri village.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared for Sarma and cited newspaper reports claiming that Rai had met some of the witnesses to the alleged fake encounter.

The former bureaucrat has sought a thorough probe into the March 30, 2017 joint operation by Army, Assam Police, CRPF and SSB at Simalguri village in Chirang district, resulting in killing of suspected NDFB(S) members Lucas Narzary aka N Langfa and David Islary alias Dayud.