UN Rapporteur To Submit Northeast Human Rights Report

Guwahati, Mar 29 : The United Nations will soon send recommendations to the Central government on the issues of human rights violations in the northeast. Visiting the region for the first time, Chirstof Heyns, UN special Rapporteur has received cases of alleged rights violation in NE states.

Heyns said he will would address the grievances of the victims of human rights abuse and submit a report to the Centre. "I am here to study and receive cases of rights violation. The process is not intended to change the law but to submit recommendations to the government for appropriated action," he said.

Accusing the state security forces of killing many in fake encounters, Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) of Assam told Heyns about how rights are crushed in the state. "There were many cases like Namsai, where three youths were killed in alleged fake encounters. Moreover, the state has witnessed the killing of human right activist Parag Das. MASS has also asked the UN to act on the draconian Arm Forces (Special Power) Act in force in the region," said Aditya Lahkar, MASS secretary general.

Advocate Sabda Rabha who presented a paper on 'Extra Judicial killing of children in NE India' before the UN representative said: "In many cases National Human Rights' Commission guidelines are not adhered to. I have submitted a report on this." Heyns also took note of the growing killing of women in rural Assam in the name of witch hunting and other superstitions.