16 years after Jogdal murders, locals seek NHRC intervention

Guwahati: Sixteen years after six members of a Tiwa tribal family were brutally hacked to death in Jogdal village, locals under the banner of Dimoria Bikash Mancha (DBM) on Saturday submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking justice for the victims and demanding a fresh probe into the case.The Jogdal murder case dates back to the night of Dec 12, 2009, when farmer Harkanta Doloi, his wife Swapna Doloi, their daughters Pranita and Sabita, son Atul and nephew Tukul Doloi were beheaded in their home at Jogdal village in Kamrup (Metro) district.Despite the passage of 16 years, DBM alleged that the real motive and perpetrators behind the crime remained unidentified. The forum has now sought NHRC intervention, alleging grave human rights violations and official apathy in handling the case.According to locals, the prime accused, Arjun Bordoloi, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Sept 2012. In Dec 2017, two police officials — then Sonapur OC Pranab Kumar Deka and investigating officer AM Choudhury — were arrested for allegedly destroying crucial evidence to shield the real culprits.Although the case was handed over to the CID, DBM claimed the investigation made little progress, with the forum now demanding a CBI probe.

Locals suspect the killings were linked to land-grabbing attempts by a powerful lobby, allegedly involving a minister from the then Congress-led govt.In the petition, DBM chief advisor and activist Dibyajyoti Medhi expressed frustration over what he termed a ‘prolonged denial of justice’.