Assam-Meghalaya Border Clash: Meghalaya cabinet delegation led by CM Sangma to meet Amit Shah today

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• Nov 24, 2022 | Dhupali Das

The delegation will demand that a probe be conducted by either the Central Bureau of Investigation or the...

Digital Desk: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma will lead a delegation of cabinet ministers from his state to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Thursday to brief him on the recent firing incident along the border with Assam that killed six people.

The delegation will demand that a probe be conducted by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Six individuals were murdered and several others were injured during an alleged clash on Tuesday afternoon between locals and a contingent comprising police and forest guards from Assam. The alleged clash took place in the area bordering the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Mukroh village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills. A forest guard from Assam also died during the clash.

"Just to clarify, the event has nothing to do with the border, contrary to what has been reported in the national media. It was simply a conflict between locals and police over some forest timber," Assam's chief minister told reporters yesterday.

Soon after the incident, Meghalaya put a 48-hour suspension on mobile internet service in seven districts of the state. The telecom and social media services were shut across districts of Meghalaya namely West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts.

CM Conrad Sangma stated on Wednesday that the investigation into the firing incident should be carried out by a central agency.

"I have also discussed the situation with the Chief Minister of Assam.  We demand that a central agency conduct an investigation. The NIA or CBI should look into the situation and conduct an investigation. The Assam government has agreed and would cooperate, and they will also petition the Government of India for the same," Sangma said.

Sangma also visited Mukroh village and met with the families of those killed in the border fire between Assam and Meghalaya.

"I've come here to ensure that correct action is taken.  Such oppression won't occur in the future. Our main concern is the border situation. I have spoken with the Assam CM about it. The Assam government has also consented to it, so we'll see if central agencies look into the situation," he said. The Chief Minister also provided ex gratia payments of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin.

"We are here to ensure that action is taken, that all steps are taken to ensure that this type of incident and the issues you are experiencing do not occur in the future. The border issue is our top concern, and we will do all in our power to fix it as soon as possible," he said.

Both states announced Rs 5 lakh in compensation for the deceased's next of kin.

"The matter was related to a timber clash, and we have initiated a judicial inquiry as well as sent the matter to the CBI or NIA for investigation.  The person responsible has been suspended and compensation has been announced," Assam CM told reporters on Wednesday.

When questioned if the event would derail existing talks to resolve the pending inter-state boundary conflict, Sarma stressed that it had nothing to do with the border problem.