Assam: Army blamed for youth's death, CM orders probe

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has directed the deputy commissioner of Baksa district to institute a magisterial inquiry into the kidnapping and death of a youth in the wake of allegations from various quarters that he had been killed by army personnel.

The army has denied any involvement in the incident.

As per the CM's directions, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The inquiry will probe into the kidnapping of three youths on December 21. One of them was found dead on December 23. Of the two others, one has returned home while the other is still missing.

The death of one of the young men -- who were all allegedly picked up by the army from Narayanpur Bazar in Baksa on December 21 -- has triggered outrage across the state.

While the body of Rajib Basumatary was found two days later, Rajkumar Rabha, who was also allegedly picked up by the army, has survived with multiple injuries. The whereabouts of Kundan Basumatary, who is a member of Baksa district unit of the Bodoland Peoples Front, is not known.

Rabha has alleged that the trio were grilled on whether they possessed illegal weapons and tortured.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued to the media, the army has dismissed these allegations as baseless

Defence spokesman Colonel S S Phugot said the allegations were "totally false and baseless with the intent to malign the image of the army".