Hmar Inpui accuses Assam Police of extrajudicial killings in Cachar
Guwahati: After three suspected militants were killed in Cachar in a reported shootout with the Assam Police, the Hmar Inpui has condemned the incident and termed it as a case of "extra-judicial killings".
The three individuals belonging to Hmar community were killed by police in Assam's Cachar district on July 16.
According to a report by The Hindu, the organization termed the incident a "cold-blooded" and "orchestrated" extrajudicial killing.
The deceased, identified as Lalungawi Hmar, Lalbickkung Hmar, and Joshua Lalringsan, were allegedly arrested on the Kabuganj-Amjur Road the day before the encounter.
The Hmar Inpui in a statement claimed that the "encounter" happened within 24 hours of their arrest, raising suspicion about its "legitimacy".
Assam police claimed the three men belonged to an unspecified militant group and were killed in a shootout after they opened fire on a police team while searching for a hideout in the Bhuban Hills.
The police also alleged the group was involved in drug trafficking.
The Hmar Inpui refuted the police version of events criticizing the killings as a "gross human rights violation".
They also termed the incident as "State-sponsored terrorism."
They pointed out the lack of clarity about who fired the fatal shots and questioned the urgency of the encounter happening so soon after the arrests.
The organization further demanded an independent investigation by a magistrate to ensure justice for the victims and rebuild trust with the Hmar community in Assam.
They have also called for compensation for the families, an end to alleged police brutality, and disciplinary action against the officers involved in the encounter.