Border Firing Incident: Meghalaya Govt To Brief HM Amit Shah On Nov 24

SHILLONG: Taking strong note of the firing incident along the border with Assam in Mukroh of West Jaintia Hills district, the Meghalaya Government led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and brief him of the incident.

Back on Tuesday, as many as six persons, five from Meghalaya and one Assam forest guard lost their lives as Assam Police personnel resorted to firing to disperse an unruly mob at Mukroh, a bordering area between the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya and the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

The Meghalaya Government has lodged an FIR against the Assam Police whereas the Assam Government has instituted a one-man inquiry commission under a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court.

As the situation turned volatile after the incident, the Meghalaya Government also ordered an internet shutdown in seven districts of the state for 48 hours besides restricting the entry of tourists into the state.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the firing incident stating that his government would brief Home Minister Amit Shah.

CM Sangma said, "The state cabinet decided that a cabinet delegation will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 24."

The Meghalaya CM further added, "We will be officially informing him about the firing incident that took place in Mukroh village. We will be demanding that an investigation be made by the central agency NIA or CBI."

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Assam government said that all personnel of the police force and forest force involved in the incident will be closed to their respective reserves. Besides that, the Assam Government has also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the 6 persons killed.

Further, the Meghalaya Government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. It has also been decided to all official festivals including the Cherry Blossom Festival which was scheduled to be held in Shillong from November 24.

The CM said, "As a mark of respect and mourning for the deceased the state govt has decided to cancel all official festivals including the Cherry blossom festival. An ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased shall be released."

Briefing media persons on the actions taken by the Assam Government on Tuesday, the Meghalaya CM said, "The Forest Range Protection Officer, who was also in charge of the area, is very much part of the incident and has been suspended. The Superintendent of Police of West Karbi Anglong district has been transferred."

He added, "The Assam government will investigate the matter in consultation with the Meghalaya government. The Assam government has assured that whatever demands and requests are put to the Government of India, the Assam government will co-operate to ensure that justice is done and those who are guilty are punished."

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