NHRC takes cognizance of the firing by the Assam armed forces in Meghalaya killing six persons; asks the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary, Assam to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in areas of border disputes between...

NHRC takes cognizance of the firing by the Assam armed forces in Meghalaya killing six persons; asks the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary, Assam to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in areas of border disputes between neighbouring states

New Delhi, 29th November, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken cognizance of a Memorandum by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya that 6 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 22nd November, 2022.

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. Whatsoever may be the dispute between the States, Police has to use restrain in such situations. Therefore, it would want to get examined 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.

Allegedly, the incident ensued chasing of 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.

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