Six people, including a forest guard, were killed in a firing by Assam police at the Assam-Meghalaya border at Mukroh Village in West Jaintia Hills district.
Confirming the incident, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, the violence was reported after a truck transporting illegal timber was intercepted by Assam police and Assam forest guard.
“As per reports 6 persons have died due to the firing by the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards,” Sangma said while informing that the injured persons have been shifted to Barato PHC and Ïalong Civil Hospital.
“The injured have been rushed to hospital and an inquest is being conducted. An FIR has been registered by Meghalaya police,” the chief minister said.
“As per the reports, a truck carrying timber was pursued by the Assam Forest Guards with the Assam Police and was detained by the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards at Mukroh Village, in West Jaintia Hills district. On hearing this, the people from Mukroh village gathered in large numbers and surrounded the Assam Police and Assam Forest guards, this let to the firing by the Assam Police in which five persons from Meghalaya died and 1 Forest Guard of Assam died,” the Chief Minister said.
He also informed that on hearing about the incident, the Home Minister, the District Magistrate, the SP and other Magistrates have rushed to the spot at Mukroh Village.
“The State Government strongly condemns the incident wherein the Assam Forest Guards with the Assam Police entered Meghalaya and resorted to unprovoked firing, the Government of Meghalaya will take all steps possible to ensure that the justice is done and an action is taken against all those responsible for this inhuman act.
He also informed that in respect of the deceased, the State government has decided to cancel all official festivals including the Cherry Blossom Festival.
He also has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 5 lakhs each to the next of the kin of the deceased shall be released.
Meghalaya has suspended mobile internet services in seven districts of the state for 48 hours after six persons including one Assam forest official were killed in firing in Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills on the border between the two states.