Assam: Hmar community demands impartial probe into Cachar encounter

GUWAHATI: The Hmar community from Barak Valley in Assam has demanded an impartial probe into the Cachar encounter incident, where three individuals were killed.

The Hmar community submitted a memorandum to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in relation to the recent encounter in Cachar district of the state.

In the memorandum submitted to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Hmar community demanded justice for the alleged custodial deaths of three Hmar youths.

The three deceased Hmar youths were: Lalbiekkung Hmar, Joshua Hmar and Lallungawi Hmar.

The memorandum was submitted through the Lakhipur sub-divisional officer (SDO) in Cachar district of Assam.

According to Assam police, the three youths were apprehended on July 16, at Kabuganj-Anjur road in Cachar district of the state.

Cachar SP later announced that they were killed in a cross-fire on July 17, during an encounter at Bhuban Hills.

However, the memorandum raises concerns about the circumstances leading to their deaths, accusing the Assam police of not following safety protocols.

The memorandum demands:

• Appointment of an external IGP-rank officer to impartially investigate the case.
• Arrest and prosecution of those involved, as shown in the circulated videos.
• Rs 1 crore to each family of the deceased.
• Conducting post-mortems by doctors from Mizoram to ensure transparency.