Parag Kumar Das, a leading human rights defender and journalist, was killed in Guwahati on 17 May 1996. Amnesty International has received information that indicates that “surrendered ULFA” (SULFA) activists perpetrated the killing with the possible connivance of the state authorities, in reprisal for an attack by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). Parag Das had been instrumental in reporting violations by the security forces and challenging the validity of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. When members of the ULFA surrendered after talks with the government in Assam in 1992, he had been vocal in his criticism. 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.
