Four civilians, one Assam forest guard killed in violent clash

Shillong:Four Pnar villagers and one Assam forest guard died on the spot following clashes between villagers and Assam police on Tuesday morning at Mukroh village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district bordering Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, a police official said.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary Donald Philips Wahlang said that three civilians and one Assam forest guard died on the spot, while another civilian succumbed to his injuries on the way to Boratoa Primary Health Centre.

According to a Assam police officials, the incident occurred at around 2:30 - 3:00 am when Assam forest guards directed a driver of a vehicle which was loaded with wooden logs to stop.

“However, the driver of the vehicle did not stop forcing the Assam forest guards to fired through a DBBL gun and because of that, the vehicle’s tyre was punctured,” the police official said.

He said the driver of the vehicle and two others, all from the Khasi community, were apprehended by forest officials and handed over to Assam police.Later, the Assam police personnel and forest officials went to bring back the loaded truck.

“But when the police and forest officials reached, at around 7:00 - 7:30 am, a huge crowd had gathered around the vehicle. The forest and police officials decided to leave the vehicle and
come back,” the police said.

But the tribal Pnar villagers did not allow the forest and officials to return. “They attacked with daos and sticks. The crowd got violent. Police had to resort to firing. Three civilians and one forest guard died on the spot,” the Assam police official said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held an emergency meeting with Home Minister
Lahkmen Rymbui, Chief Secretary Wahlang and senior government officials at his official
residence and took stock of the prevailing situation.Rymbui flew to Mukroh village to take stock of the ground situation, the Chief Secretary said.

Mobile internet services suspended in 7 Meghalaya districts

Shillong:The Meghalaya government on Tuesday issued order suspension of mobile internet services and all data services for the next 48 hours in the seven districts in eastern part of

the state after five civilians and one Assam forest guards were killed in a violent clashes this morning, an official said.

In a notification, State Home Secretary, Cyril. V.D.Diengdoh said the suspension of mobile Internet services was ordered following reports from Police Headquarters that the untoward incident at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills have a potential to disturb public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety in the seven districts of the state.

Mobile Internet services and data services of all mobile service providers has been suspended prevent breakdown of law and order in West Jaintia Hills district, East Jaintia Hills district, East Khasi Hills district, Ri - Bhoi district, Eastern West Khasi Hills district, West Khasi Hills district and South West Khasi Hills district, for the next 48 hours with effect from 10.30 am November 22, Diengdoh specified in the notification.(UNI)