Assam govt rules out foul play in rehab deaths; closes centres

SHILLONG, Jan 14: The Assam government has ruled out any foul play in the deaths of two individuals from Meghalaya at two rehabilitation centres in Assam last year.
However, it has urged the Meghalaya government to investigate the activities of Arup Jerial Passah, a recovering addict from Meghalaya, who has been involved in bringing patients from the state to these centres.
The Assam government probed the deaths of the two individuals – Rickelson Jyrwa and Meban Syndor – following a request by the Meghalaya government.
The Assam government has issued closure notices to the two rehabs for allegedly violating provisions and standard operating procedures governing de-addiction centres.
According to an action taken report submitted by Assam’s Commissioner and Secretary of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department Virendra Mittal, the Director of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) conducted the investigation.
The report revealed that Rickelson Jyrwa, who was staying at the unregistered Alive Again Foundation De-addiction Centre at Chandrapur in Kamrup (Metro) district, suffered a seizure on November 20.
He was rushed to GATE Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. His guardians were informed and they took the body but without permitting a post-mortem examination. No FIR was filed, as his family did not suspect any foul play at the de-addiction centre.
Similarly, Meban Syndor, who was residing at the unregistered Better Living Wellness Foundation De-addiction Centre in Mangaldai, died on November 19 due to medical complications while receiving treatment at JNSM Polyclinic, Darrang.
The report found no evidence of foul play in his death.