Six people, including three people from the Khasi community and a forest guard, were in clash between police and villagers at the Assam-Meghalaya border after cops intercepted a truck transporting illegal timber in the early hours of Tuesday. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said a magisterial inquiry will be initiated into the incident.
“A total six persons including five from Meghalaya and one Assam Forest Guard killed in the incident. The injured persons rushed to hospital. Inquest conducted FIR registered by Meghalaya police. A magisterial inquiry will be initiated into the incident. I have spoken to Assam CM on the incident and he has assured cooperation,” Sangma was quoted as saying by ANI.
Sangma also announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased individuals. Five of the six killed at “Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills district” were Meghalaya residents and one is an Assam Forest Guard, Sangma said.
The Assam forest department team intercepted and stopped the truck at Mukru area carrying the illegal timber towards West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya around 3 am, West Karbi Anglong superintendent of police Imdad Ali told PTI.
When the truck tried to flee, the forest guards fired at it and punctured its tyre. The driver, a handyman and another person were apprehended, while others managed to escape. The forest guards informed the Zirikending police station and asked for reinforcements, he added.
When police reached there, a large number of people from Meghalaya armed with ‘dao’s (daggers) and other weapons gathered at the spot at around 5 am.
As the mob gheraoed the forest guards and the police, demanding the immediate release of those arrested, the officers fired at them to bring the situation under control.
Authorities have now suspended mobile internet and social media connectivity to prevent further escalation of the situation.
To contain the situation, vehicles are being stopped at Assam-Meghalaya border at Jorabat on the outskirts of Guwahati. “As part of precautionary measures, vehicles such as goods carriers or passenger carriers of Assam and other states have been stopped to enter Meghalaya. Those vehicles bearing Meghalaya number plates are being allowed. This is only temporary,” said SP Numal Mahatta.
A Cabinet delegation team of Meghalaya government will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 24 and will demand a CBI or NIA probe in the firing incident, ANI reported.
The Assam government has ordered a judicial investigation and have referred the matter to CBI. “We have ordered a judicial investigation and have referred the matter to CBI. SP has been transferred and local police and forest officials have been placed under suspension,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
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