Assam Murder Convict Shot Dead 2 Months After Fleeing Prison
A murder convict who had escaped from prison two months ago was shot dead by police near the Assam-Meghalaya border. The convict, identified as Hifjur Rahman, had apparently returned from Bangladesh before being caught by authorities. According to Police Superintendent Numal Mahatta, Rahman snatched a gun from a policeman accompanying him and fired, prompting the police to shoot in self-defence. Rahman was taken to Silchar Medical College and Hospital but succumbed to his injuries, while two constables were critically injured.
Rahman had escaped from Silchar Central Jail along with another murder convict, Deep Nunia, by digging a tunnel through a toilet. While Rahman has been shot dead, the police are still searching for Nunia.
Notably, this incident has raised concerns about the Assam Police’s approach to encounters, which has faced criticism in recent times. In December 2021, lawyer Arif Jwadder had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court, demanding an independent inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings since May 2021. Jwadder specifically called for an investigation by either a Central Investigation Agency or a Special Investigation Team. However, the high court disposed of the case in January.
This incident marks the fourth encounter-related death since then. It is important to maintain journalistic integrity and present a balanced view of the topic, taking into account different perspectives and opinions.
