Inquiry into firing on jute farmers

GUWAHATI: Assam government has constituted a one-man commission of inquiry headed by Justice (Retd) Hareswar Barua to probe circumstances leading to the killing of four jute farmers during a road blockade in Darrang district on October 10 last. The commission will ascertain the circumstances leading to the killing of four persons and injuries to eight others in a police firing during the blockade by farmers on National Highway 52 at Dalgaon area in the district. The panel will also examine whether police action, including firing, was justified and also ascertain if any person or persons and/or organisations were responsible for the violence, an official release said. The commission will also determine whether there were any lapse on the part of any authority, and if so, to fix the responsibility accordingly. The commission wil submit its report within six months of notification of its constitution. The farmers had blocked the NH 52 demanding minimum support price of their products. (PTI)