Guwahati: The International Human Rights Council (IHRC), Tinsukia District Committee, has strongly condemned the handcuffing of former All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) General Secretary Shankarjyoti Baruah, calling it a violation of human rights and contempt of Supreme Court directives.
Baruah was arrested on May 17 following a scuffle at a petrol pump in Duliajan, Dibrugarh district, and was allegedly treated as a hardened criminal and handcuffed during detention. This practice is explicitly prohibited by a Supreme Court ruling unless deemed absolutely necessary under specific circumstances.
L. Ratan Singh, General Secretary of the IHRC Tinsukia chapter, has urged Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Director General of Police Harmeet Singh to immediately arrest the police personnel involved in the incident and initiate a departmental inquiry. Singh emphasized that disregarding the directives of the Supreme Court is a grave offense.
The IHRC has also made an open appeal to the Gauhati High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and take stringent action to ensure accountability within the police force. Singh warned that unchecked police misconduct poses a threat to civil liberties and emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and human rights.
The IHRC’s condemnation of the incident highlights the need for police personnel to respect the law and court directives. The organization’s demands for action against the police personnel involved and for accountability within the police force are aimed at ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.
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