Parag Kumar Das
Encyclopedia
Parag Kumar Das was the former editor of Asomiya Pratidin
, a radical journalist, human right activist and one of the founders of human rights movement in Assam
. He was also the founder leader of Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti
(MASS). Prior to that he was the manager of Guwahati Stock Exchange
. He was assassinated by SULFA
in 1996.
He had his education in St. Stephens College and Delhi School of Economics
, Delhi.
members - Mridul Phukan alias Samar Kakati, Diganta Baruah, Tapan Dutta alias Biswajit Saikia and Nayan Das alias Guli. His public execution created great outrage in entire Northeast India.
filed its chargesheet in Kamrup District and Sessions Court against the four accused - all members of the surrendered group
of ULFA. Before the CBI
filed its chargesheet, Diganta Baruah and Tapan Dutta were killed and in 2003 Nayan Das was hacked to death by a furious mob in Dibrugarh
. Promod Gogoi and Prabin Sarma, two other suspects were not charge-sheeted for lack of evidence against them. Mridul Phukan is the only surviving accused in the case. But after thirteen years, on July 28, 2009, Justice Dilip Kumar Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup, has acquitted the prime accused citing lack of solid evidence.
, expressing his disappointment with the verdict, said that the MASS
would approach higher courts and continue the fight for justice to the slain activist.
Asomiya Pratidin
Asomiya Pratidin is an Assamese daily newspaper, caters whole of Assam with four editions published from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon and North Lakhimpur, Assam, India...
, a radical journalist, human right activist and one of the founders of human rights movement in Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
. He was also the founder leader of Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti
Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti
Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti , , is a regional non-profit human rights NGO in Assam. It was founded in 1991 by Parag Kumar Das along with a group of intellectuals and journalists of Assam...
(MASS). Prior to that he was the manager of Guwahati Stock Exchange
Guwahati Stock Exchange
The Guwahati Stock Exchange is locate in Guwahati, Assam, India. It was incorporated on 29 November 1983 and it was recognised by the Government of India on 1 May 1984. The GSE is limited by guarantee by the member-brokers....
. He was assassinated by SULFA
SULFA
SULFA, short for Surrendered ULFA, i.e. members of the United Liberation Front of Asom that surrendered to the government.Beginning with 1990, the Government of India has attempted to wean away members of ULFA. In 1992 a large section of second rank leaders and members surrendered to government...
in 1996.
He had his education in St. Stephens College and Delhi School of Economics
Delhi School of Economics
Delhi School of Economics , commonly referred to as DSE or D School, is a centre of post graduate learning of the University of Delhi. The centre is situated in the university's North Campus in Maurice Nagar, and is surrounded by a host of other prestigious academic institutions of the country...
, Delhi.
Assassination
In the afternoon of May 17, 1996, while bringing back his young son from school in Chandmari, Guwahati, Das was assassinated in broad daylight by four SULFASULFA
SULFA, short for Surrendered ULFA, i.e. members of the United Liberation Front of Asom that surrendered to the government.Beginning with 1990, the Government of India has attempted to wean away members of ULFA. In 1992 a large section of second rank leaders and members surrendered to government...
members - Mridul Phukan alias Samar Kakati, Diganta Baruah, Tapan Dutta alias Biswajit Saikia and Nayan Das alias Guli. His public execution created great outrage in entire Northeast India.
Trial
In 2001, CBICentral Bureau of Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation is a government agency of India that serves as a criminal investigation body, national security agency and intelligence agency. It was established on 1 April 1963 and evolved from the Special Police Establishment founded in 1941...
filed its chargesheet in Kamrup District and Sessions Court against the four accused - all members of the surrendered group
SULFA
SULFA, short for Surrendered ULFA, i.e. members of the United Liberation Front of Asom that surrendered to the government.Beginning with 1990, the Government of India has attempted to wean away members of ULFA. In 1992 a large section of second rank leaders and members surrendered to government...
of ULFA. Before the CBI
Central Bureau of Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation is a government agency of India that serves as a criminal investigation body, national security agency and intelligence agency. It was established on 1 April 1963 and evolved from the Special Police Establishment founded in 1941...
filed its chargesheet, Diganta Baruah and Tapan Dutta were killed and in 2003 Nayan Das was hacked to death by a furious mob in Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh is the headquarters of Dibrugarh district, Assam, India, and is the second largest city in Assam after Guwahati. It is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, about north-east of Guwahati. It is the gateway to the three tea-producing districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sibsagar...
. Promod Gogoi and Prabin Sarma, two other suspects were not charge-sheeted for lack of evidence against them. Mridul Phukan is the only surviving accused in the case. But after thirteen years, on July 28, 2009, Justice Dilip Kumar Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup, has acquitted the prime accused citing lack of solid evidence.
MASS reactions
According to human rights activists, the key witnesses were not interviewed, some were intimidated, related materials were tempered to ensure the acquittal of the accused and cover up the state machinery’s role in the case. Three of the accused were expired. The human rights activist, media, friends and family members of Das, all call it as a betrayal of the CBI and the Court. MASS leader Lachit BordoloiLachit Bordoloi
Lachit Bordoloi is a journalist and adviser to MASS, a non-profit human rights organization in Assam. He is also the convener of the Peoples Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam and a member of the Peoples Consultative Group organized to initiate the peace process between Government of India...
, expressing his disappointment with the verdict, said that the MASS
Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti
Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti , , is a regional non-profit human rights NGO in Assam. It was founded in 1991 by Parag Kumar Das along with a group of intellectuals and journalists of Assam...
would approach higher courts and continue the fight for justice to the slain activist.
See also
- Asomiya PratidinAsomiya PratidinAsomiya Pratidin is an Assamese daily newspaper, caters whole of Assam with four editions published from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon and North Lakhimpur, Assam, India...
- Manab Adhikar Sangram SamitiManab Adhikar Sangram SamitiManab Adhikar Sangram Samiti , , is a regional non-profit human rights NGO in Assam. It was founded in 1991 by Parag Kumar Das along with a group of intellectuals and journalists of Assam...
- List of journalists killed in Assam