GUWAHATI: The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has issued a notice to the Assam government to start an inquiry into the allegations against six forest department personnel who were suspected to be involved in the carnage of Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) recently.
Tarun Phookan, a member of the single-bench rights' body, taking a suo motu cognizance of the media reports, directed the state government on Tuesday to submit its report within 45 days of receipt of the notice.
"The commission has registered a suo motu case as there were allegations against the forest personnel, including a forest ranger, for being directly involved in the killing of innocent people using department's weapons. They have joined hands with some militant groups in the BTAD region," an AHRC statement said.
Assam police on Sunday arrested six forest volunteers, including a forest ranger of the Manas National Park, Amiya Brahma, following complaints from the survivors that instead of protecting them, the foresters fired and set their houses on fire when villagers rushed to the forest beat office in Baksa district's Khagrabari.
