GUWAHATI:
The police firing in Mukroh was an act of self-defence and for the protection of government properties, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the State Assembly on Saturday.
Six persons, including an Assam forest official Bidyasing Lekthe, were killed in the firing by the police personnel at Mukroh in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district along the Assam-Meghalaya boundary on November 22.
“Miscreants from Meghalaya attacked and killed forest guard Bidyasing Lekthe at Mukroh under Jirikinding police station and thereafter five other persons died as a result of police firing which was done for self-defence and protection of government properties,” Sarma said replying to an unstarred question from BJP MLA Rupsing Teron on the last day of the winter session of the house on Saturday.
“As per the report of the superintendent of police, West Karbi Anglong, the police firing was done in self-defence of the police and forest personnel whom the people from Meghalaya surrounded and attacked. It is revealed from the report that the people were demanding the release of three apprehended timber smugglers and prevented the police and forest personnel of Assam to discharge their official duties, besides attacking them and trying to snatch their arms and ammunition. However, the government has ordered a judicial probe,” the chief minister said.
“It is a fact that miscreants disturbances and damage properties resulting in law and order situation. However, Assam Police is taking necessary steps to control such situation in due course and also keeping sharp vigil and patrolling in the areas and coordinates with the forest, district administration we well as their counterparts from Meghalaya government,” the chief minister also said.
“Assam government has been taking proactive steps to maintain peace and tranquillity and maintain law and order situation in the inter-state border areas in Assam-Meghalaya as well as other inter-state borders,” Sarma further said.
Sarma also informed the House that the personnel of Assam Police have been regularly carrying out patrolling, checking and other operations regularly as and when required in the Assam-Meghalaya inter-state border.
“Assam Police coordinates with forest, district administration, and local VDPs and maintain communication with their counterpart of Meghalaya. There are a total of 10 BOPs along the Assam-Meghalayaa border. The Centre provides four companies of BSF- 2 companies each in Assam and Meghalaya for maintaining status quo and peace in the region,” he added.