Lifer to Armymen in 1994′ Assam encounter

7 Army personnel including a Major General have been sentenced to life in prison by court-martial. The verdict pertains to 24-year-old infamous Dangari fake encounter case wherein these Army-men had reportedly killed five local youths in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district for being suspected ULFA militants.

The 7 army personnel from the 18 Punjab Regiment based in Dholla in Tinsukia district picked up 9 youths from different locations on February 17 to 19 in 1994. Then, Jagadish Bhuyan filed a habeas corpus in the Guwahati High Court on February 22, 1994.

Dismissing the 7 accused from service, a Summary General Court Martial (SGCM) of the Indian Amry convicted Major General A.K. Lal, Colonel Thomas Mathew, Colonel R.S. Sibiren, Captain Dilip Singh, Captain Jagdeo Singh, Naik Albindar Singh and Naik Shivendar Singh for their involvement in the fake encounter case.

After the sentence was read out by the Army court on Saturday, the victim families have expressed satisfaction for getting justice after a long wait of 24 years.

Jagdish Bhuyan also expressed his content saying that justice has finally been delivered in the infamous Dangari encounter case.

The verdict has proved that one must have faith in Indian judicial system and democracy and the neutrality of Indian Army.- He added.