The Kokrajhar district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of Phunkha Basumatary, who was killed in a firing incident involving forest protection personnel inside Raimona National Park along the India-Bhutan international border on July 28.
Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty said the decision was taken following demands from several political parties and organisations for an impartial investigation into the incident.
The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading to the firing and the subsequent death of Basumatary inside the national park. The administration said the probe is intended to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine the circumstances under which the firing took place.
“The district administration has decided to conduct a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident,” Chakravarty said.
He added that the inquiry report is expected to be completed and submitted within a month.
The July 28 firing had sparked concern among local residents and prompted several political parties and organisations to call for an independent investigation. They had sought greater transparency and accountability in determining the circumstances that led to Basumatary’s death.
The magisterial inquiry is now expected to examine the sequence of events and gather relevant evidence and statements as part of the investigation.
