Assam-Meghalaya border clash: Feud resulted in Firing at West Jaintia Hills leaving 4 dead

• Image Credit: East Mojo

• Nov 22, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Mukroh village in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills reported firing amid ongoing talks to resolve the border issue between...

Digital Desk: On Tuesday, Mukroh village in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills claimed a shooting incident as part of ongoing boundary talks between Assam and Meghalaya. 

Four individuals were murdered in a firing incident today near the Assam-Meghalaya border, including three people from West Jaintia Hills and an Assam forest guard, as said by Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi. 

According to sources, the shooting occurred when police officers detained a vehicle containing illicit timber and confronted alleged timber traffickers and forest guards. 

Reportedly, West Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Imdad Ali stated, "An Assam Forest Department team apprehended the truck near the Meghalaya border about 3 a.m. To halt the truck, officials placed spikes on the road."

SP Imdad Ali went on to say that when the truck sought to depart, the forest guards fired at it, puncturing a tyre. "The driver, a handyman, and another individual were detained, while others escaped," he claimed. 

Notably, the forest guards apprehended three smugglers and transported them to the Zirikending police station. Later, on the orders of SP Imdad Ali, a police team went to the scene and recovered the truck. "As police arrived, a big number of people from Meghalaya armed with 'dao's (daggers) and other weapons gathered at the spot about 5 a.m.," said SP Imdad Ali.

Furthermore, as the mob gheraoed the forest guards and police officers, demanding the immediate release of those detained, the authorities fired back to bring the situation under control. "A forest home guard and three Khasi community members were killed. The situation has been stabilised "SP further added.

Notably, the murdered forest guard was named Bidya Singh Lehte, while another forest guard, Abhimanyu, was injured. Meanwhile, the situation in the neighbourhood remains tense as West Karbi Anglong SP Imdad Ali arrives with his squad to investigate the event. 

Following the fire along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Internet services in Meghalaya have been suspended.