GUWAHATI, July 19 � The Justice SN Phukan Commission of Inquiry probing the death of Dulen Baruah of Himpara village of Moran in Sivasagar district on April 13, 2008, has concluded that he had died due to firing by CRPF personnel only.
The Commission � the findings of which were submitted before the State Assembly on Saturday � rejected the version of the CRPF and police personnel that there was cross-firing between ULFA militants and security personnel in the house of Dulen Baruah, as no member of the outfit was present in the house of Baruah or in the surrounding area.
The Commission, however, held that while Baruah died due to CRPF firing, his death was accidental and the CRPF personnel did not fire at him with the intention of killing. But, it added, the CRPF party committed a mistake by not taking any Assam Police personnel who were present while conducting the operation at Rangoli Himpara village. �Had there been a joint operation by police personnel of Sivasagar and Dibrugarh districts, the escape of the ULFA militants could have been prevented,� it added.
The Commission also ruled out the involvement of Tileswar Lahon, a surrendered ULFA militant, in the incident.
The Commission held that while there was harassment of some persons of the village by CRPF personnel, �but considering the nature of the injuries which were simple and the apprehension that the militants might fire anytime upon the CRPF personnel, it cannot be said that the harassment was serious.�
The Commission observed that the compensation of Rs 3 lakh paid to the family of Baruah and the giving of a job to one of the sons of Baruah, Srimanta Baruah, in the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner�s office was adequate and hence no need for further compensation.
