Assam-meghalaya border firing kills 6
SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: Six people, including a forest guard, were killed in firing at the Assam-meghalaya border in the early hours of Tuesday, the two state governments confirmed.
While the Meghalaya government said the violence occurred at Mukroh in the state’s West Jaintia Hills and was the outcome of “unprovoked” firing, its Assam counterpart said the incident took place in the state’s West Karbi Anglong district when forest personnel opened fire to save their lives from “unknown miscreants” smuggling timber.
Five Meghalaya residents and an Assam forest guard were killed in the incident. Both the state governments said they will seek a probe by a central agency into the firing.
SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: Six people, including a forest guard, were killed in firing at the Assam-meghalaya border in the early hours of Tuesday, the two state governments confirmed.
While the Meghalaya government said the violence occurred at Mukroh in the state’s West Jaintia Hills and was the outcome of “unprovoked” firing, the Assam government said the incident took place in the state’s West Karbi Anglong district when forest personnel opened fire to save their lives from “unknown miscreants” smuggling timber.
Five Meghalaya residents and an Assam forest guard were killed in the incident. Both the state governments said they will seek a probe by a central agency into the firing.
“In an unfortunate incident that occurred at Mukroh village in West Jaiñtia Hills District, 6
persons died due to firing by Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards. Out of the 6, 5 were Meghalaya residents & 1 is from the Assam Forest Guard,” chief minister Conrad Sangma tweeted, as he tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the post.
“The Meghalaya government strongly condemns the incident
where the Assam Police and Assam forest guards entered Meghalaya and resorted to unprovoked firing... will take all steps to ensure action is taken against those responsible in this inhuman act,” he added.
Sangma later told reporters that he will visit Delhi on November 24 to apprise Shah of the incident and seek a probe “either by NIA or CBI”.
The Assam government, on the other hand, said it has instituted a one-man inquiry commission headed by a retired judge of the high court and sought a report within three months.
In a press note released later in the day, it said it will also seek a probe by a central or a neutral agency. It added that the government has ordered transfer of West Karbi Anglong district superintendent of police Imdad Ali, and suspension of Jirikinding police station officer-in-charge Kajal Nath and forest protection officer Shikari Enghi.
The firing erupted after Assam forest officials intercepted a truck allegedly laden with illegally felled timber, the government said in a separate statement.
“When the truck was stopped by the forest party personnel, they were surrounded by unknown miscreants who resorted to violence. In order to save their lives, the forest party resorted to firing,” it added.
The incident comes against the backdrop of the two states agreeing to resolve their five-decadeold border dispute in six out of 12 contested areas along the 885km boundary and ahead of assembly elections in Meghalaya early next year.
Apprehending a law and order situation, Meghalaya suspended mobile internet services in seven districts, while Assam police barred vehicles bearing the state’s registration plate from entering the neighbouring state.
Both the Assam and Meghalaya governments announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
In another tweet, Sangma said he “had a telephonic conversation” with Sarma over the firing.
“The Assam Govt has also assured that whatever demands GOM puts forward to GOI, GOA will cooperate to ensure justice is served & those guilty are punished,” he added.
Meanwhile, a parked vehicle bearing an Assam number plate was torched by unknown people in Shillong, police said.