Weeks after the tragic deaths of three Hmar youths in an Assam police firing in Cachar, the Gauhati High Court has directed the families of the deceased to collect the bodies from the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) morgue. The bodies have been preserved at the SMCH mortuary since July 17. The families initially demanded that the post-mortem be conducted outside Assam. However, the state government presented the autopsy report conducted at SMCH before the court. In response, the petitioners’ senior counsel informed the court that the families had no objection to taking custody of the bodies and performing the last rites.
The court order states, “Any other family members of the three deceased persons, whose dead bodies are lying in the morgue of SMCH, Silchar, shall be at liberty to satisfy the Chief Superintendent-Cum-Principal, SMCH, Silchar as to their identities and thereafter, take the dead bodies into their custody for performing their last rites.” Additionally, the court provided provisions for the families wishing to transport the bodies outside Assam by road. They are to inform the Superintendent of Police, Cachar, who will provide necessary logistical support to the nearest airport or state border.
As the prosecution did not object to the report, the court instructed the families to collect the remains from the SMCH morgue. The state has been ordered to file an affidavit by August 30, 2024, with any rejoinder from the petitioners to be submitted at least one day prior to the next hearing, scheduled for September 10.