AMN
Six people were killed and two were severely injured in police firing on Tuesday morning at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya. Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma confirmed that five from Meghalaya and one Assam Forest Guard were killed in the incident. The injured persons rushed to hospital. Inquest conducted FIR registered by Meghalaya police. Meghalaya CM has suspended mobile internet services in seven districts of the state. The notification rread that violaters of the promulgation will be penalised under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also the related provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
Chief Minister Sangma said that Assam Police along with Assam Forest Guards detained a truck carrying timber at Mukroh village inside Meghalaya, and on hearing the incident; villagers surrounded the Forest Guards and Assam Police which resulted in the firing incident killing six people. Condemning the incident of unprovoked firing resulting in the killing of innocent civilians, the Chief Minister stated that the Government will ensure that appropriate action will be taken against the perpetrators. The Chief Minister said the State Government has cancelled all upcoming and ongoing festivals including the Cherry Blossom Festivals as a mark of respect to those who were killed. He added that an ex-gratia of five lakh rupees will be given to the next of kin of the deceased.
The State Cabinet has decided to meet the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the 24th of November following the firing incident. After a Cabinet Meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stated that the Union Home Minister will be appraised of what had happened and urged for an investigation by a central agency like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) relating to the incident. The Chief Minister also informed that a report will be submitted to the National Human Rights Commission relating to the incident.
The Chief Minister also informed that his cabinet colleagues will be visiting the village tomorrow and meet the family members of those who lost their lives and also hand over the ex-gratia. Further, he added that his Assam counterpart has been urged to take necessary steps to investigate the matter in consultation with Meghalaya Government. He informed that the Assam Government has transferred the SP of West Karbi Anglong district and has suspended the OC of Zirikending police station and Forest Range Protection Officer of the area.