Assam-Meghalaya Border Firing: NHRC Takes Cognisance Of Incident, Seeks Preventive Measures In Two Weeks

According to the commission, this episode appears to have occurred as a result of the border dispute between the two states of Assam and Meghalaya, which is part of a larger, long-running conflict.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the incident days after six people were killed in gunfire along the Assam-Meghalaya border and ordered the central and Assam governments to examine and develop mechanisms to prevent such incidences, as per a statement issued by the NHRC on Tuesday. 

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had moved the NHRC on Friday over the loss of lives in firing, calling it a "clear violation of human rights".

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong called on NHRC chairperson justice (retired) Arun Kumar Mishra and its other members in New Delhi on November 25.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission stated that it had "taken cognisance of a memorandum by the chief minister of Meghalaya that six persons, including one Assam forest official, had died in firing by the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya on November 22".

As stated by the commission, this incident appears to have occurred as a result of a border dispute between the two states of Assam and Meghalaya, which is a broader issue that has been ongoing for a long time.

"Prima facie, it appears that, had this dispute been settled, such type of incident would have been averted. Whatsoever may be the dispute between the states, police has to use restrain in such situations," the statement said.

As a result, the rights panel stated that it would like to have the standard operating procedure (SOP) in place, if any, about fire by armed forces or police in areas of the boundary dispute between neighbouring states investigated. As a result, the commission has forwarded the memorandum to the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary of Assam. The response is expected in two weeks, according to the statement.

"They are to examine and evolve mechanisms/suggest measures to prevent such types of incidents, particularly in areas in which there is a border dispute between neighbouring states. The response is expected in two weeks," the statement said.

Six people, including an Assam forest guard, were killed in the firing near the interstate border when an Assam forest crew apprehended a truck conveying illegally felled timber.

According to the NHRC statement, the incident occurred as a result of the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards pursuing a truck carrying timber.

These forces detained the truck in Mukroh village. The residents of Mukroh became agitated when the Assam Police arrived in their area. They surrounded the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards, and as a result, this shooting occurred, according to the report.

Four people were found dead on the spot. Four other villagers, on the other hand, were gravely hurt and hospitalised. According to the statement, two of the villagers died in the hospital as a result of their injuries.