After the clash over a state border dispute claimed six lives including a forest guard, at the Assam-Meghalaya border , a SUV with an Assam number was set afire on the night of the incident by unidentified people in Meghalaya’s capital city Shillong on Tuesday night.
As per reports, the SUV was completely burnt but no casualties were reported. After the incident a fire brigade reportedly reached the location and put out the blaze.
This was triggered after a clash at the Assam-Meghalaya border on Tuesday morning after police intercepted a truck over an alleged timber-smuggling attempt and six people, including a forest guard, were killed in the clash .
Following this, mobile internet services has been suspended by the Meghalaya government in seven districts for 48 hours — West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills Districts “to prevent the misuse of media (WhatsApp and social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc) to disturb peace and tranquility in the state”.
According to reports, around 3 am , an Assam Forest Department team intercepted the truck at the Meghalaya border in Moikrang in the West Karbi Anglong district. During the interception, the truck tried to flee triggering a chase leading to Meghalaya territory following which the forest guards eventually opened fired at the vehicle and punctured one of the truck’s tyre.
Later three people — the truck driver, handyman and another person — were apprehended and brought by the forest guards to Jiriking. The forest guards informed the Zirikending police station about the incident, and asked for reinforcements.
After watching the team locals assumed this as trespass and surrounded the Assam police and forest guards.
Following this Meghalaya government said that it would seek an investigation into the firing incident , in which six people were killed, by a central agency like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Meanwhile the Assam Government in a statement issued late Tuesday, said that it has decided to hand over the investigation of the incident to a central or neutral investigation agency.
The statement said, “Following today’s incident of firing in West Karbi Anglong District, the Government of Assam has already instituted a Judicial Inquiry under a retired Judge of High Court to ascertain the facts, circumstances, and the exact reasons for the incident.”
The statement further added that, West Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Imdad Ali was “transferred”, Jirikinding police station officer-in-charge Kajal Nath, and Forest Protection Officer at Kheroni Forest Range Shikari Enghi have been placed under suspension. Additionally, all personnel of the police and forest departments in Assam involved in the incident were sent to their respective reserves.
The Assam Government has also announced it will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of all six who died in the firing, including those from Meghalaya. According to reports , the Meghalaya Government had previously announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed.
Besides Assam police has restricted the vehicles movement travelling to Meghalaya’s capital Shillong and the headquarters of East Khasi Hills district.
After this incident , Meghalaya government has suspended all government official programmes and festivals, including the Cherry Blossom Festival, till November 30 as a sign of respect to those who lost their lives.
