6 killed in police firing in northeast India

NEW DELHI, Nov. 22– At least six people were killed in police firing near the border dividing India’s two northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, confirmed Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday. The incident took place in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district, when Assam Police personnel and Assam Forest Guards opened indiscriminate firing…

NEW DELHI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) — At least six people were killed in police firing near the border dividing India’s two northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, confirmed Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday.

The incident took place in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district, when Assam Police personnel and Assam Forest Guards opened indiscriminate firing on a crowd.

According to media reports, the Assam Police personnel and Assam Forest Guards had entered Meghalaya’s territory while following a truck, and soon a large crowd gathered at the spot. Heated arguments were exchanged between the two sides and Assam’s security personnel present there opened indiscriminate firing on the crowd.

Taking to Twitter, Sangma said that in an unfortunate incident that occurred at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District, six people died due to firing by Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards.

“Out of the six dead, five were Meghalaya residents and one from the Assam Forest Guard. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased. Meghalaya Government strongly condemns the incident where the Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards entered Meghalaya and resorted to unprovoked firing,” added Sangma in a series of tweets.

According to him, his government will take all steps to ensure that justice is served and action is taken against those responsible for this inhuman act.

The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia compensation of 500,000 Indian rupees (6,124 U.S. dollars) each to the next of kin of the dead. Enditem