(a) whether the Government has set up any Commission of Inquiry headed by former Supreme Court Judge K.N. Sakia to go into the allegations of secret killings by security forces including Assam Rifles in Assam and other North Eastern States, from January 1998 onwards;
(b) if so, the terms of reference of the Commission of inquiry;
(c) whether the Commission has submitted its report to the Government; and
(d) if not, the time by which the report is likely to be submitted?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)
(a) to (d): A Statement is Annexed.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3996 FOR 20.12.2005 RAISED BY SHRI M.K. SUBBA REGARDING SECRET KILLING BY SECURITY FORCES
(a) to (d): The Government of Assam has appointed a Commission of Inquiry under the provisions of Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 vide notification dated 22.8.2005 headed by former Supreme Court Judge Shri K.N. Saikia. The Commission shall enquire into killings, of eleven specified persons, which occurred during the period between August 1998 to September 1999. The terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry are as follows:
i) Circumstances in each case leading to the killing;
ii)Identity of the killers and accomplices, if any;
iii) To find out whether there was any conspiracy in targeting the victims and the motive behind such killings;
iv)Pinpoint responsibility on persons who were involved directly or indirectly in the commission of such killings;
v) To make recommendations to prevent recurrence of such killings;
vi) Any other matter related to or relevant to the purpose of this inquiry;
2. The terms of Commission have been enlarged by the State Government vide Notification dated 3.9.2005 as under:
i) The Commission shall enquire into any other incidents of killings under similar circumstances, which occurred during the period from January 1998 to 2001.
ii) The Commission shall also enquire into the alleged attempted murder of Shri Ananta Kalita of Hajo.
3. The Commission is expected to submit its report within a period of 6 months.