Parag Kumar Das: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name       = Parag Kumar Das
| name               = Parag Kumar Das
| image= Parag Kumar Das.jpg
| image             = Parag Kumar Das.jpg
| caption     = Portrait of Parag Kumar Das
| caption           = Portrait of Parag Kumar Das
| birthname   =  
| birthname         =  
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1961|2|24|df=yes}}
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1961|2|24|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Shillong]]
| birth_place       = [[Shillong]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|5|17|1961|2|24|df=yes}}
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|1996|5|17|1961|2|24|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]
| death_place       = [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]
| education   =  
| death_cause        = Killed by [[SULFA]]
| occupation = Journalist<br> Newspaper Editor<br> Human rights activist
| education         = [[Master's Degree]] in [[Economics]]
| alias       =  
| occupation         = [[Journalist]]<br> Newspaper Editor<br> Human rights activist
| title       =  
| alias             = Buman
| family     =  
| title             =  
| parents     = Anupama Das (Mother)
| family             =  
| spouse     = Purabi Das
| parents           =
| domestic_partner =
| mother            = Anupama Das
| children   = 2
| spouse             = Purabi Das
| relatives  =  
| domestic_partner   =  
| salary      =  
| children           = 2
| networth   =  
| father            = Durgadhar Das
| credits     =  
| relatives          =  
| agent       =  
| networth           =  
| URL        =  
| credits           = [[Amnesty International]]
| agent             =  
| URL               =
| alma_mater         = [[Cotton College]], <br> [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]], <br>[[Delhi School of Economics]]
}}
}}


'''Parag Kumar Das''' ([[Assamese language|Assamese]] '''পৰাগ কু: দাস''') was the former editor of [[Asomiya Pratidin]],<ref name="ab">{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=aug0409/edit2|title=Parag Das murder verdict: bleeding Fourth Estate|last=Al-Ahmed|first=Saikh Md Sabah |date=2009-08-04|publisher=The Assam Tribune|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/assam-editors-murder-cbi-under-scanner/495921/|title=Assam, editor murder, CBI, main accused|last=Kashyap|first=Samudra Gupta|date=2009-07-30 |publisher=The Indian Express|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="kl">{{cite web|url=http://www.voicesforfreedom.org/VFF%20demands%20retrial%20of%20Parag%20Das%20killer.htm|title=VFF demands retrial of Parag Das killer |publisher=Voices For Freedom|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref> a radical journalist, human right activist and one of the founders of human rights movement in [[Assam]].<ref name="ef">{{cite web|url=http://www.assam.org/news/13-years-after-waiting-justice-parag-das-assassination-case|title=13 Years After: Waiting for Justice in the Parag Das Assassination Case|last=Borborah |first=Sanjay|date=2009-07-28|publisher=assam.org|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="gh">{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3238.html|title=Prime accused in the Parag Das murder case acquitted|first=|date=2009-07-28|publisher=Assam Times|accessdate=2009-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802084615/http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3238.html|archive-date=2 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also the founder leader of [[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti]] (MASS).<ref name="kl" /><ref name="ij">{{cite web|url=http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-81797.html|title=Parag Das murder suspect acquitted; Assam bandh on Thursday|date=2009-07-28|publisher=newkerela.com|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref> Prior to that he was the manager of [[Guwahati Stock Exchange]]. He was assassinated by [[SULFA]] in 1996.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cd" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" />
'''Parag Kumar Das''' ([[Assamese language|Assamese]] '''পৰাগ কুমাৰ দাস''') was the former editor of [[Asomiya Pratidin]],<ref name="ab">{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=aug0409/edit2|title=Parag Das murder verdict: bleeding Fourth Estate|last=Al-Ahmed|first=Saikh Md Sabah |date=2009-08-04|publisher=The Assam Tribune|access-date=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/assam-editors-murder-cbi-under-scanner/495921/|title=Assam, editor murder, CBI, main accused|last=Kashyap|first=Samudra Gupta|date=2009-07-30 |publisher=The Indian Express|access-date=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="kl">{{cite web|url=http://www.voicesforfreedom.org/VFF%20demands%20retrial%20of%20Parag%20Das%20killer.htm|title=VFF demands retrial of Parag Das killer |publisher=Voices For Freedom|access-date=2009-09-27}}</ref> a radical journalist, human right activist and one of the founders of human rights movement in [[Assam]].<ref name="ef">{{cite web|url=http://www.assam.org/news/13-years-after-waiting-justice-parag-das-assassination-case|title=13 Years After: Waiting for Justice in the Parag Das Assassination Case|last=Borborah |first=Sanjay|date=2009-07-28|publisher=assam.org|access-date=2009-09-27}}</ref><ref name="gh">{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3238.html|title=Prime accused in the Parag Das murder case acquitted|first=|date=2009-07-28|publisher=Assam Times|access-date=2009-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802084615/http://www.assamtimes.org/hot-news/3238.html|archive-date=2 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He had his education in [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]] and [[Delhi School of Economics]], Delhi.
 
Parag Kumar Das was also the founder leader of [[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti]] (MASS).<ref name="kl" /><ref name="ij">{{cite web|url=http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-81797.html|title=Parag Das murder suspect acquitted; Assam bandh on Thursday|date=2009-07-28|publisher=newkerela.com|access-date=2009-09-27}}</ref>
 
Prior to that Parag Kumar Das was the manager of [[Guwahati Stock Exchange]].
 
Parag Kumar Das was assassinated by [[SULFA]] in 1996.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cd" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" />
 
Das had his education in [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]] and [[Delhi School of Economics]], Delhi.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Parag Kumar Das was born in [[Shillong]] on 24 February 1961. He did his lower primary, primary and high schooling from Chenikuthi Boys School, M.C.M.E. School and [[Cotton Collegiate Government H.S. School]] respectively. In 1977, he got the 4th position in [[High School Leaving Certificate (India)|HSLC]] examination. He also got 4th position in the [[Pre-university]] examination from [[Cotton College, Guwahati|Cotton College]] in Science stream. Then he moved to Delhi for higher education. He took admission in [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]] for his graduation in Economics. After that he joined the [[Delhi School of Economics]] at the [[University of Delhi]] for master's degree.
Parag Kumar Das was born in [[Shillong]] on 24 February 1961. He did his lower primary, primary and high schooling from Chenikuthi Boys School, M.C.M.E. School and [[Cotton Collegiate Government H.S. School]] respectively. In 1977, he got the 4th position in [[High School Leaving Certificate (India)|HSLC]] examination. He also got 4th position in the [[Pre-university]] examination from [[Cotton College, Guwahati|Cotton College]] in Science stream. Then he moved to Delhi for higher education. He took admission in [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]] for his graduation in Economics. After that he joined the [[Delhi School of Economics]] at the [[University of Delhi]] for a master's degree.
 
In 1984, he joined as a manager in [[Punjab National Bank]]. After that he was appointed as general manager in [[Unit Trust of India|Unit Trust]] and [[Guwahati Stock Exchange]]. In 1995 he quit from his job and joined as an editor in the Assamese daily [[Asomiya Pratidin]].
 
He married to Purabi Das and they have two children.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thakuria|first=Nava|date=27 January 2019|title=Paragda, We Are Still Deprived Of Justice|url=https://www.paragdascentre.assam.org/content/we-miss-you-parag-da|url-status=live|website=Assam.org}}</ref>
 
==Journalism life==
Parag Kumar Das started his journalism in [[Prantik]] and [[The Sentinel (Guwahati)|The Sentinel]] (an English daily published from Guwahati, Assam) in the late 80s. Later in, 1989, Das launched ''Boodhbar'' (English: Wednesday), an Assamese weekly. In 1994, he launched another Assamese magazine ''Agaan''(English: Steps).


In 1984, he joined as a manager in [[Punjab National Bank]]. After that he was appointed as general manager in Unit Trust and [[Guwahati Stock Exchange]]. In 1995 he quit from his job and joined as an editor in the Assamese daily [[Asomiya Pratidin]].
Both ''Boodhbar'' and ''Agaan'' were stopped following his arrests.
Finally, in 1995, he joined as the Executive Editor of [[Asomiya Pratidin]], quitting his job from the Stock Exchange of Guwahati.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Goswami|first=Priyankan|date=17 May 2011|title=Fifteen Years and Thousand Deaths of Parag Kumar Das|url=https://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/fifteen-years-and-thousand-deaths-of-parag-kumar-das/|url-status=live|website=Times of Assam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Thakuria|first=Nava|date=27 January 2019|title=Paragda, We Are Still Deprived Of Justice|url=https://www.paragdascentre.assam.org/content/paragda-we-are-still-deprived-justice|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109034627/https://www.paragdascentre.assam.org/content/paragda-we-are-still-deprived-justice|archive-date=9 November 2021|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref>


He married to Purabi Das and they have two children.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
==Books==
{| class="wikitable wikitable"
|+ Parag Kumar Das' Books
! Book !! English !! Assamese (Origin)
|-
|[[Rastradruhir Dinlipi|Rastradrohir Dinlipi]] || Diary of a State Rebel || ৰাষ্ট্ৰদ্ৰোহীৰ দিনলিপি
|-
|[[Swadhinataar Prostab]] || Proposal for Independence || স্বাধীনতাৰ প্ৰস্তাৱ
|-
|[[NISIDDHA KALAM ARU ANNYANYA]] || Banned writings and others || নিষিদ্ধ কলম আৰু অন্যান্য
|-
|[[Swadhin Axomor Arthaniti]] || Swadhin Axomor Arthaniti || স্বাধীন অসমৰ অৰ্থনীতি
|-
|[[Sanglat Fenla]] || Call for Independence || ছাংলট ফেনলা
|-
|[[Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das]] || Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das<ref>{{Cite book|title=Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das: Articles in English Dailies 1982-1985|publisher=DVS Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9788186307878|editor-last=Baruah|editor-first=Apurba Kumar|language=English|editor-last2=Yolmo|editor-first2=Nima Lamu}}</ref>|| No
|}


==Assassination==
==Assassination==
In the afternoon of 17 May 1996, while taking back his young son from school in Chandmari, Guwahati, Das was assassinated in broad daylight<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cd" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" /> by four [[SULFA]] members - Mridul Phukan alias Samar Kakati, Diganta Baruah, Tapan Dutta alias Biswajit Saikia and Nayan Das alias Guli.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="ef" /> His open murder created huge outrage in the entire state of Assam and the human rights circles of the country.<ref name="ef" />
In the afternoon of 17 May 1996,<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 May 1996|title=India: Assam: the killing of a human rights defender - Amnesty International|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/028/1996/en/|url-status=live|website=[[Amnesty International]]}}</ref> while taking back his young son from school in Chandmari, Guwahati, Das was assassinated in broad daylight<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cd" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" /> by four [[SULFA]] members - Mridul Phukan alias Samar Kakati, Diganta Baruah, Tapan Dutta alias Biswajit Saikia and Nayan Das alias Guli.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="ef" /> His open murder created huge outrage in the entire state of Assam and the human rights circles of the country.<ref name="ef" />
 
==International Condemnation on Assassination==
Several international human rights forums and journalist forums condemned the brutal killing of Parag Kumar Das. [[Amnesty International]], on its note, stated, "...The killing of Parag Das highlights the suppression of human rights activity within Assam, where human rights violations and abuses have been committed with virtual impunity by both security forces and armed opposition groups."<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 May 1996|title=India: Assam: the killing of a human rights defender|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/028/1996/en/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109075240/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/028/1996/en/|archive-date=9 November 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|website=[[Amnesty International]]}}</ref>
 
[[Human Rights Watch]] stated, "...death of Assamese activist Parag Das in May exposed the security forces, use of irregular militias to carry out abuses..".<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASIA|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1997/WR97/ASIA-05.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629023401/http://www.hrw.org/reports/1997/WR97/ASIA-05.htm|archive-date=29 June 2015|access-date=9 December 2021|website=[[Human Rights Watch]]}}</ref>
 
== Trial & Judgement Controversy ==
In 2001, [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] filed its chargesheet in Kamrup District and Sessions Court against the four accused - all members of the [[SULFA|surrendered group]] of [[ULFA]]. Before the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] filed its chargesheet, Diganta Baruah and Tapan Dutta were killed in 1998 and 1999, and in 2003 Nayan Das was hacked to death by a furious mob in [[Dibrugarh]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gohain|first=Priyanuj|date=24 May 2011|title=Parag Kumar Das Killing – No difference between words of Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Paresh Baruah|url=https://www.timesofassam.com/headlines/parag-kumar-das-killing-no-difference-between-words-of-prafulla-kumar-mahanta-and-paresh-baruah/|url-status=live|website=Times of Assam}}</ref> Promod Gogoi and Prabin Sarma, two other suspects were not charge-sheeted for lack of evidence against them.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /> Mridul Phukan is the only surviving accused in the case.<ref name="ef" />  But after thirteen years, on 28 July 2009, Justice Dilip Kumar Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup, has acquitted the prime accused citing lack of solid evidence.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" />


==Trial==
The acquittal of Mridul Phukan, the lone survivor of the accused in Parag Kumar Das killing, sparked criticism of judgement and investigation done by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]. [[Ajit Kumar Bhuyan]], the then editor of [[Asomiya Pratidin]], of which late Das was executive editor, said, "The judgment ( by the Kamrup Metro District and Sessions Court) has exposed the hollowness of our inquiry and law system".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kashyap|first=Samudra Gupta|date=30 July 2009|title=Assam editor’s murder: CBI under scanner|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/assam-editor-s-murder-cbi-under-scanner/495921/|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=28 July 2009|title=Parag murder accused freed - Court blames CBI for lack of evidence|work=[[The Telegraph (India)]]|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/parag-murder-accused-freed-court-blames-cbi-for-lack-of-evidence/cid/609009|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref>
In 2001, [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] filed its chargesheet in Kamrup District and Sessions Court against the four accused - all members of the [[SULFA|surrendered group]] of [[ULFA]]. Before the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] filed its chargesheet, Diganta Baruah and Tapan Dutta were killed and in 2003 Nayan Das was hacked to death by a furious mob in [[Dibrugarh]]. Promod Gogoi and Prabin Sarma, two other suspects were not charge-sheeted for lack of evidence against them.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /> Mridul Phukan is the only surviving accused in the case.<ref name="ef" />  But after thirteen years, on 28 July 2009, Justice Dilip Kumar Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup, has acquitted the prime accused citing lack of solid evidence.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="kl" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="gh" /><ref name="ij" />


==MASS reactions==
==MASS reactions==
According to human rights activists, the key witnesses were not interviewed, some were intimidated, related materials were tempered to ensure the acquittal of the accused and cover up the state machinery's role in the case.<ref name="ef" /> Three of the accused were expired.<ref name="cd" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="ij" /> The human rights activist, media, friends and family members of Das, all call it  as a betrayal of the CBI and the Court.<ref name="gh" /> MASS leader [[Lachit Bordoloi]], expressing his disappointment with the verdict, said that the [[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti|MASS]] would approach higher courts and continue the fight for justice to the slain activist.<ref name="ij" />
According to human rights activists, the key witnesses were not interviewed, some were intimidated, related materials were tempered to ensure the acquittal of the accused and cover up the state machinery's role in the case.<ref name="ef" /> Three of the accused were expired.<ref name="cd" /><ref name="ef" /><ref name="ij" /> The human rights activist, media, friends and family members of Das, all call it  as a betrayal of the CBI and the Court.<ref name="gh" /> MASS leader [[Lachit Bordoloi]], expressing his disappointment with the verdict, said that the [[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti|MASS]] would approach higher courts and continue the fight for justice to the slain activist.<ref name="ij" />
==Parag Kumar Das Memorial Trust==
The Parag Kumar Das Memorial Trust was formed after his death by the family members and the well wishers. The trust has been organizing an annual debate competition at the state level since 1997. In 2021, the silver jubilee edition of the debate will be organized and from 2022 onward annual memorial lectures will replace the debate competition.
A documentary on Late Das sponsored by the trust was also released on 24 February 2018 on the occasion of his Birthday and is available in YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PARAG KUMAR DAS {{!}} TILL WE MEET AGAIN PARAG|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uNH-9niXPc|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104033746/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uNH-9niXPc|archive-date=27 July 2020|access-date=12 January 2022|website=[[Youtube]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*Parag Kumar Das' Books in [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Books of Parag Kumar Das|url=https://www.amazon.in/Books-Parag-Kumar-Das/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AParag+Kumar+Das|url-status=live|access-date=28 November 2021|website=[[Amazon (company)]]}}</ref>
*[[Asomiya Pratidin]]
*[[Asomiya Pratidin]]
*[[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti]]
*[[Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti]]

Latest revision as of 20:16, 15 January 2022

Parag Kumar Das
File:Parag Kumar Das.jpg
Portrait of Parag Kumar Das
Born(1961-02-24)24 February 1961
Shillong
Died17 May 1996(1996-05-17) (aged 35)
Guwahati, Assam
Cause of deathKilled by SULFA
Other namesBuman
EducationMaster's Degree in Economics
Alma materCotton College,
St. Stephen's College,
Delhi School of Economics
OccupationJournalist
Newspaper Editor
Human rights activist
Notable credit(s)
Amnesty International
Spouse(s)Purabi Das
Children2
Parents
  • Durgadhar Das (father)
  • Anupama Das (mother)

Parag Kumar Das (Assamese পৰাগ কুমাৰ দাস) was the former editor of Asomiya Pratidin,[1][2][3] a radical journalist, human right activist and one of the founders of human rights movement in Assam.[4][5]

Parag Kumar Das was also the founder leader of Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS).[3][6]

Prior to that Parag Kumar Das was the manager of Guwahati Stock Exchange.

Parag Kumar Das was assassinated by SULFA in 1996.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Das had his education in St. Stephen's College and Delhi School of Economics, Delhi.

Early life[edit]

Parag Kumar Das was born in Shillong on 24 February 1961. He did his lower primary, primary and high schooling from Chenikuthi Boys School, M.C.M.E. School and Cotton Collegiate Government H.S. School respectively. In 1977, he got the 4th position in HSLC examination. He also got 4th position in the Pre-university examination from Cotton College in Science stream. Then he moved to Delhi for higher education. He took admission in St. Stephen's College for his graduation in Economics. After that he joined the Delhi School of Economics at the University of Delhi for a master's degree.

In 1984, he joined as a manager in Punjab National Bank. After that he was appointed as general manager in Unit Trust and Guwahati Stock Exchange. In 1995 he quit from his job and joined as an editor in the Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin.

He married to Purabi Das and they have two children.[7]

Journalism life[edit]

Parag Kumar Das started his journalism in Prantik and The Sentinel (an English daily published from Guwahati, Assam) in the late 80s. Later in, 1989, Das launched Boodhbar (English: Wednesday), an Assamese weekly. In 1994, he launched another Assamese magazine Agaan(English: Steps).

Both Boodhbar and Agaan were stopped following his arrests. Finally, in 1995, he joined as the Executive Editor of Asomiya Pratidin, quitting his job from the Stock Exchange of Guwahati.[8][9]

Books[edit]

Parag Kumar Das' Books
Book English Assamese (Origin)
Rastradrohir Dinlipi Diary of a State Rebel ৰাষ্ট্ৰদ্ৰোহীৰ দিনলিপি
Swadhinataar Prostab Proposal for Independence স্বাধীনতাৰ প্ৰস্তাৱ
NISIDDHA KALAM ARU ANNYANYA Banned writings and others নিষিদ্ধ কলম আৰু অন্যান্য
Swadhin Axomor Arthaniti Swadhin Axomor Arthaniti স্বাধীন অসমৰ অৰ্থনীতি
Sanglat Fenla Call for Independence ছাংলট ফেনলা
Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das[10] No

Assassination[edit]

In the afternoon of 17 May 1996,[11] while taking back his young son from school in Chandmari, Guwahati, Das was assassinated in broad daylight[1][2][3][4][5][6] by four SULFA members - Mridul Phukan alias Samar Kakati, Diganta Baruah, Tapan Dutta alias Biswajit Saikia and Nayan Das alias Guli.[1][4] His open murder created huge outrage in the entire state of Assam and the human rights circles of the country.[4]

International Condemnation on Assassination[edit]

Several international human rights forums and journalist forums condemned the brutal killing of Parag Kumar Das. Amnesty International, on its note, stated, "...The killing of Parag Das highlights the suppression of human rights activity within Assam, where human rights violations and abuses have been committed with virtual impunity by both security forces and armed opposition groups."[12]

Human Rights Watch stated, "...death of Assamese activist Parag Das in May exposed the security forces, use of irregular militias to carry out abuses..".[13]

Trial & Judgement Controversy[edit]

In 2001, CBI filed its chargesheet in Kamrup District and Sessions Court against the four accused - all members of the surrendered group of ULFA. Before the CBI filed its chargesheet, Diganta Baruah and Tapan Dutta were killed in 1998 and 1999, and in 2003 Nayan Das was hacked to death by a furious mob in Dibrugarh.[14] Promod Gogoi and Prabin Sarma, two other suspects were not charge-sheeted for lack of evidence against them.[1][3][4] Mridul Phukan is the only surviving accused in the case.[4] But after thirteen years, on 28 July 2009, Justice Dilip Kumar Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup, has acquitted the prime accused citing lack of solid evidence.[1][3][4][5][6]

The acquittal of Mridul Phukan, the lone survivor of the accused in Parag Kumar Das killing, sparked criticism of judgement and investigation done by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, the then editor of Asomiya Pratidin, of which late Das was executive editor, said, "The judgment ( by the Kamrup Metro District and Sessions Court) has exposed the hollowness of our inquiry and law system".[15][16]

MASS reactions[edit]

According to human rights activists, the key witnesses were not interviewed, some were intimidated, related materials were tempered to ensure the acquittal of the accused and cover up the state machinery's role in the case.[4] Three of the accused were expired.[2][4][6] The human rights activist, media, friends and family members of Das, all call it as a betrayal of the CBI and the Court.[5] MASS leader Lachit Bordoloi, expressing his disappointment with the verdict, said that the MASS would approach higher courts and continue the fight for justice to the slain activist.[6]

Parag Kumar Das Memorial Trust[edit]

The Parag Kumar Das Memorial Trust was formed after his death by the family members and the well wishers. The trust has been organizing an annual debate competition at the state level since 1997. In 2021, the silver jubilee edition of the debate will be organized and from 2022 onward annual memorial lectures will replace the debate competition.

A documentary on Late Das sponsored by the trust was also released on 24 February 2018 on the occasion of his Birthday and is available in YouTube.[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Al-Ahmed, Saikh Md Sabah (4 August 2009). "Parag Das murder verdict: bleeding Fourth Estate". The Assam Tribune. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Kashyap, Samudra Gupta (30 July 2009). "Assam, editor murder, CBI, main accused". The Indian Express. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "VFF demands retrial of Parag Das killer". Voices For Freedom. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Borborah, Sanjay (28 July 2009). "13 Years After: Waiting for Justice in the Parag Das Assassination Case". assam.org. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Prime accused in the Parag Das murder case acquitted". Assam Times. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Parag Das murder suspect acquitted; Assam bandh on Thursday". newkerela.com. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  7. ↑ Thakuria, Nava (27 January 2019). "Paragda, We Are Still Deprived Of Justice". Assam.org.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Goswami, Priyankan (17 May 2011). "Fifteen Years and Thousand Deaths of Parag Kumar Das". Times of Assam.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ Thakuria, Nava (27 January 2019). "Paragda, We Are Still Deprived Of Justice". Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  10. ↑ Baruah, Apurba Kumar; Yolmo, Nima Lamu, eds. (2014). Early Writings of Parag Kumar Das: Articles in English Dailies 1982-1985. DVS Publishers. ISBN 9788186307878.
  11. ↑ "India: Assam: the killing of a human rights defender - Amnesty International". Amnesty International. 31 May 1996.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ "India: Assam: the killing of a human rights defender". Amnesty International. 31 May 1996. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "ASIA". Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Gohain, Priyanuj (24 May 2011). "Parag Kumar Das Killing – No difference between words of Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Paresh Baruah". Times of Assam.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ Kashyap, Samudra Gupta (30 July 2009). "Assam editor's murder: CBI under scanner". The Indian Express. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  16. ↑ "Parag murder accused freed - Court blames CBI for lack of evidence". The Telegraph (India). 28 July 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "PARAG KUMAR DAS | TILL WE MEET AGAIN PARAG". Youtube. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)
  18. ↑ "Books of Parag Kumar Das". Amazon (company). Retrieved 28 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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