Assam citizens' group condemns police brutality at Sonapur during eviction
Guwahati: The Axom Nagarik Samaj (ANS), a civil society organization of Assam, has strongly condemned the police brutality during the eviction drive at Kachutali village in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati.
The organization expressed shock and outrage over the tragic loss of three lives and the horrifying incident where a minor girl was shot in her genitals.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, president of the ANS, and Paresh Malakar, general secretary, criticized the administration for resorting to excessive force without exhausting other available options.
"While the eviction of encroachers from government land is understandable, it must be carried out within the bounds of law and with utmost respect for human life," the statement read.
Questioning the administration's approach, the society pointed out that the evicted people had obtained miyadi pattas, electricity, and gas connections, raising concerns about the validity of their claims as encroachers.
Furthermore, the organization slammed the tendency to label individuals involved in such incidents as "suspected foreign nationals" without due process.
"It is unfortunate and condemnable to stigmatize people who have likely been displaced by natural disasters like floods, erosions, and landslides," the statement added.
The Assam Civil Society demanded that the government provide adequate compensation to those who have lost their homes and ensure proper relocation arrangements.
"It is inhumane and highly despicable to leave children, women, and the elderly in the open," the organization said.
Three people belonging to the East Bengal origin Muslim community were in a police firing on Thursday at Sonapur during an eviction drive.