SHILLONG:
Home Minister Prestone Tynsong, on June 26, said the department will order an inquiry into the June 25 incident at Umsyiem near Dawki in East Khasi Hills where a clash broke out between residents of Umsyiem and BSF personnel, leading to a scuffle followed by stone pelting and four rounds being fired in the air.
“Four persons were injured in the melee – two BSF and two civilians; but there are all okay. They were taken to the Dawki PHC on June 25 evening and were discharged last night itself,” Tynsong said, adding that the injuries might have been sustained as a result of stone pelting and during a physical altercation between the two groups.
Contradictory reports have come out on the incident. While residents claimed that stone pelting was resorted to by the mob after a few drunk BSF personnel attacked passersby in the area. On the other hand, the BSF claimed that the clash broke out after BSF seized two vehicles loaded with sarees worth over Rs 50,000 – suspected to be smuggled to Bangladesh.
“We are waiting for a detailed report on the matter. But from what I can understand, the BSF seized two vehicles carrying clothes; both cars were seized and taken to the BSF camps. The drivers and handymen of the vehicles escaped. After some time, one civilian vehicle approached the camp; a few personnel came out of the camp to talk to the people, leading to an argument between two parties,” Tynsong said.
The home minister also informed that he has instructed the district police chief to monitor the situation, adding that they are currently waiting for an FIR to be filed, either from the public or BSF.
Reacting to BSF’s claim of the detained vehicles belonging to smugglers, Tynsong said, “Right now, we cannot draw any conclusion; it is too early to tell whether they were smugglers,” further adding that he will again convene a meeting with IG BSF to raise issues of concerns like the need for joint operations and close coordination between BSF and police.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reiterated that the injuries sustained by the individuals were not bullet wounds but minor injuries.
“Four rounds were fired in the air, not at the crowd; individuals may have sustained injuries during the stone pelting; we are still inquiring into this matter. But from what I have gathered, it was a smuggling issue,” Sangma said, adding that the situation is under control and that they are keeping a close watch on the situation.
To a query on BSF’s continuous tussle with local residents over jurisdiction, the chief minister said, “If there are concerns, we will take it up. Further details are awaited.”
Reacting to a query on incidents of residents-BSF clash, Director General of Police (DGP) LR Bishnoi said that many a time, a misconception is created among the public when BSF seizes products or arrests someone, with rumours of innocent people being arrested doing the rounds.
“That is why close coordination with the people, the village headmen, and Village Defence Party (VDP) is required to overcome any concerns or misunderstandings. We also request the BSF to coordinate with local Thana police and also the people so that misconception is not there,” Bishnoi said.