The seven districts where internet service were banned are Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills. West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and West Jaintia Hills.
Digital Desk: In response to violence along the Assam-Meghalaya border that resulted in at least six deaths in the early hours of Tuesday, the Meghalaya government has suspended mobile internet connection for the following 48 hours effective at 10 AM in seven districts of the neighbouring state.
West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills were the seven districts where internet access was cut off.
Amid current discussions to resolve the border conflict between Assam and Meghalaya, at least five persons from Meghalaya and one forest service employee from the Assam side were killed in Mukroh village, which borders the West Jaintia Hills and Karbi Anglong districts of both Assam and Meghalaya.
When a truck suspected to be smuggling timbers illegally was stopped by Assam police and forest guards at around 3 AM on Tuesday, violence broke out. According to sources, the vehicle tried to flee after the security personnel ordered it to stop, which prompted the Assam police to open fire on its tyres. The joined team kept three people in custody while the others ran away.
However, a large faction from Meghalaya arrived at the scene shortly after, armed with 'dao' (machetes) and other weapons, demanding the immediate release of everyone being held by the Assam security forces and attempting to attack them. Security personnel started firing right away to disperse the mob, which resulted in the deaths.
The chief minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma has blamed the incident on the Assam security force. He said, "It's an inhuman crime by the Assam police and forest guards who entered the Meghalaya area and used 'unprovoked' shooting against residents. We condemn the incident and will try to ensure that the deceased receive justice."
Sangma stated that Meghalaya police have already filed a police report (FIR) against the Assam police and forest guards. To advance the situation, he stated that the state cabinet will meet in the evening. "I also urge the people of our state to maintain peace and harmony. The state government is making every effort to maintain peace and order, the official added.
As a gesture of respect for the deceased, the Meghalayan government also decided to cancel the state's famous "cherry blossom" festival. The festival draws thousands of visitors from all over the world to take in the cherry blossom season beauty.
The families of the five deceased of Meghalaya who died will get an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh, according to the Meghalaya government.
Assam Police has advised residents not to travel temporarily to Meghalaya. Several vehicles were already being prevented from entering the neighbouring state of Meghalaya at a Jorabat check gate near the state's capital.
According to police authorities in Jorabat, only vehicles with emergency and Meghalaya registration were permitted to travel. Additionally, those who were already in Meghalaya were urged to leave.
Although sources claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was in frequent contact with his Meghalayan counterpart, Sarma had not made any official statements as of the time this report was filed.
The incident took place just before the next round of border dispute negotiations between the two states was scheduled to begin. On November 10, Sangma stated that it was expected that the second round of negotiations with Assam to settle the border dispute would begin before the end of the month.
It may be mentioned that at the interstate border, Assam and Meghalaya identified 12 disputed areas. The two northeastern states reached a deal in the first round, resolving disputes in six areas, and signed it in March.
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