SHILLONG, NOV 22: Six persons including five from Meghalaya were killed while two others were seriously injured in the Assam police firing at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District on Tuesday morning.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has condemned the Assam police and forest guards for entering Meghalaya and resorted to unprovoked firing leading to killing of precious lives.
Sangma has also announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased victims and government’s decision to cancel all official festivals including the ongoing Cherry Blossom Festival.
A meeting with all stakeholders including traditional heads, church leaders and members of civil society organizations was also convened to ensure law and order is maintained in the state.
After the meeting, Sangma told reporters that six persons have died due to firing by Assam police and forest guards at Mukroh village.
He said as per reports, a truck carrying timber was pursued and detained by the Assam police and Assam forest guards at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills.
“On hearing this, people from Mukroh village gathered in large numbers and surrounded the Assam police and forest guards. This led to firing by the Assam police in which five persons from Meghalaya died and 1 Assam forest guard also died due to the firing,” Sangma said.
He informed that amongst the injured, two are in serious condition and have been shifted to Barato CHC and Ialong civil hospital.
An FIR has been registered by the Meghalaya police and a magisterial inquiry has been initiated.
The deceased who died on the spot have been identified as Kal Shadap (45), N Dhar (65), S Talang (55) and an unknown forest guard of Assam while those who succumbed to the injuries are Tal Nartiang (40) and Chirup Sumer (40).
The chief minister said the state government strongly condemns the incident wherein the Assam police and forest guards entered Meghalaya and resorted to unprovoked firing.
“The government of Meghalaya will take all steps possible to ensure that justice is done and action is taken against all those responsible for this inhumane act,” he assured.
As a mark of respect and mourning for the deceased, Sangma said the state government has decided to cancel all official festivals including the Cherry Blossom festival.
He also announced that an ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased shall be released.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also appealed to the citizens of the state to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
“I would also like to appeal to the citizens of the state to maintain peace and harmony in the state. The state government is taking all steps necessary to ensure that law and order is maintained in the state,” he said.
He said he had called different leaders from traditional institutions, religious groups and different members of civil society and NGOs to discuss, to appeal, to inform and to ask them that “we need to stand together in these difficult times as a state and as citizens”.
“These are challenging times but with society and with all of us being together we will overcome the situation and as I mentioned the government of Meghalaya will be firmed and will take necessary action and whatever is required to ensure that justice is done and those people responsible for this actions are taken against them,” the CM said.
When asked, the chief minister said, “Yes I have spoken to the Assam chief minister this morning and I briefed him about the incident and he is also aware about the incident and our discussion was very brief. He has assured whatever can be done from the Assam government side and whatever cooperation that is required for any kind of steps to be taken or any inquiry to be done he will be there and he will support.”
He said there is no dispute in the Mukroh village and in fact the place where the incident happened was well within Meghalaya.
He said that Meghalaya police was present out there but the numbers were not as big as the Assam counterpart as the situation was unexpected.
He informed that the government had already decided to inaugurate the Barato police outpost knowing the sensitivity of the situation that is there in that area.
On the suspension of mobile internet, Sangma said based on the necessary SOPs, the government has taken certain steps to ensure that law and order is maintained in the state.
By Our Reporter
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