Whatsoever may be the dispute between the states, police has to use restrain in such situations, NHRC said and underlined the need of SOP about firing by Armed Forces/Police in areas of a border dispute between neighbouring states.
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.
The Commission has observed that it seems, this incident has taken place due to the border dispute between the two states – Assam and Meghalaya, which is a larger issue, pending for long. Prima-facie, it appears that, had this dispute been settled, such type of incident would have been averted. Whatever may be the dispute between the States, Police have to use restraint in such situations. Therefore, it would want to examine the S.O.P. in operation, if any, about firing by Armed Forces/Police in areas of a border dispute between neighbouring States.
Accordingly, the Commission has transmitted the Memorandum to the Home Secretary, Government of India, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, Dispur. 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 commission stated allegedly, the incident ensued chasing a truck carrying timber, by the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards. The truck was detained in Mukroh village by these Forces. The villagers of Mukroh became agitated upon the entry of the Assam Police in their village. They surrounded the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards, consequent upon this firing took place. In the incident, four were found dead on the spot. Whereas, the other four villagers were seriously injured and hospitalized. Out of them, two villagers succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
The Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said the Cabinet decided to approve and sanction police outposts at seven sensitive locations along the inter-state boundary. The police outposts will be located at Muria in East Jaintia Hills; Mukroh and Tihwiya in West Jaintia Hills; Rani Jirang in Ri Bhoi; Umwali Lejadubi and Langpih in West Khasi Hills and Athiabari in West Khasi Hills.
BJP which is a partner of the ruling coalition has demanded resignation of the state home minister Lahkmen Rymbui. Sangma on Monday said that this is not the time for politics as the issue is very sensitive.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I have been always saying to police that they should not fire on civilians and firing should take place only on terrorists and criminals.”
He added, “Meghalaya can set up police outposts within their constitutional boundary. Movement of vehicles to Meghalaya had resumed from the Assam side. It was stopped by the Assam government after the incident as a precautionary measure.”
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