SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led a cabinet delegation on November 23 to visit the bereaved family members of the victims of the Mukroh shooting incident, where he handed over ex-gratia cheques of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the victims.
He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, PHE Minister Renikton Lyngdoh, Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
Interacting with the family members, he expressed his condolences on behalf of the people of the state and the government. He also told the gathering at the village that the government has decided to cancel all official government functions and festivals to show solidarity with the people of Mukroh.
During his visit to the village, the Chief Minister stopped to interact with protesting pressure groups and assured them that the government will ensure justice for the victims. He told them the government of Meghalaya and Assam have agreed to request the government of India for a probe by central agencies either NIA or CBI into the firing incident, which killed 5 civilians and one forest guard from Assam.
He also told the agitating pressure groups that the government of Assam is cooperating fully with Meghalaya. He also told them that the concerned officials including OCs and forest officials have been suspended and SP of West Karbi Anglong have been transferred out from the district.
He also informed that a state Cabinet delegation will call on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 24 at Delhi, which will be followed up with a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
During the visit, the Jaintia Students’ Union also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding for a police outpost at Mukroh. The Chief Minister told them that the government of Meghalaya has recently set up an outpost at Barato, which will soon be functional. However, he said that he will further deliberate on the demand which has been raised by the people of the area for an outpost at Mukroh.
Later, the Chief Minister along with other ministers held consultation with different stakeholders from the village. The villagers expressed their concerns and informed the Chief Minister on different problems they had to face for the past several years on a daily basis along the Assam – Meghalaya inter state border areas.
The Chief Minister assured that the concerns raised by the people of the area will be submitted to the Union Home Ministry for their redressal.