Karbi Anglong civil society organisations condemn Assam-Meghalaya violence

Our Correspondent

Diphu, Nov. 23 (EMN): Several Karbi Anglong civil organisations condemned the Mukrok firing incident in the Assam-Meghalaya border where six people were killed, including a forest guard, on Tuesday.

In a joint press conference held at the District Press Club of Karbi Anglong office on Wednesday, Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) convener, Khorsing Teron, said, ‘We strongly condemn the vested interest group of people who provoked attack upon the forest and police personnel and demand a high-level proper investigation into the incident and deployment of more security personnel along the interstate border for the safety and security of government official and employees, protection of forest reserve and to maintain law and order.’

Teron also said, ‘We appeal to all sections of people — Karbi, Khasi, and Jaintia — living in the border area to maintain peace and communal harmony. We appreciate Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for his prompt action but that is not enough; the state government should appraise the central government to investigate the incident and book the culprits involved in the illegal timber logging.’

Teron also said Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang and his colleagues, who are in Delhi, should apprise the Central government so that any untoward accident is avoided, while adding that law and order should be maintained along the interstate border.

He also appealed to all the sections to be self-controlled and to maintain cordial relationships like before.

Meanwhile, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) vice president, Sonasing Terang during a press conference said, ‘We condemn the Mukroh firing incident that took place on Tuesday in the interstate border of Assam and Meghalaya where one Forest guard Bidyasing Lekthe lost his live while on duty; the forest department is responsible for protecting the forest products.

‘The interstate boundary between Assam and Meghalaya was well-demarcated in 1951. The incident that took place is well within the jurisdiction of West Karbi Anglong. We demand a high level of inquiry into the matter,’ it said.

The Karbi Anglong Women Justice Forum also condemned the incident and demanded a high-level inquiry.

Nikonjo Kathar, former C-in-C, United People of Liberation Army in his press release said, ‘The firing from both sides is condemnable. The timber smuggling from the Meghalaya side in West Karbi Anglong is condemnable. People from the Meghalaya side confronting the Assam police and forest personnel to protect timber smugglers is condemnable’.