Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma talked about the firing incident and said firing has nothing to do with the border dispute between the two states.
The firing incident took place between Meghalaya villagers and a contingent of police and forest guards.
Talking to the media Sarma said, “Just to clarify that incident has nothing to do with the border, the way it is reported in national media. It was basically a clash between villagers and police regarding certain forest timbers.”
“The matter was related to some clash regarding timbers and we have ordered a judicial inquiry and also referred the matter to the investigation by CBI or NIA. Compensation has been announced and the person responsible is put under suspension,” Sarma said.
Meanwhile, Rs 5 lakh has been announced by the Assam Government to the kin of the six deceased persons, who died in the firing incident.
In the firing incident, six persons including one Assam forest official were killed in Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills on Tuesday.
Moreover, Meghalaya suspended mobile internet services in seven districts after the incident. The services were shut down 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.
“I have also discussed with the Assam Chief Minister about the incident. We demand that a central agency should investigate. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should inquire into and investigate the incident. The Assam government has also agreed and they will cooperate and they will also ask the Government of India for the same,” Sangma said.
Earlier on Wednesday Sangma met the family members of the victims.
“I have come here to ensure proper action will be taken. In the future, such oppression won’t happen. The border issue is our priority. I have discussed it with Assam CM. We’ll see central agencies probe the incident, Assam govt has also agreed to it,” Sangma said.
However, Sangma further said, “We are here to ensure that the action is taken, all steps are required to ensure that in future this kind of thing and the difficulties you are facing should not be there. The border issue is our top priority and we will do everything in our capacity and we are able to resolve the border issue at the earliest.”