Shillong (Meghalaya), Nov 22 : Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today confirmed that six persons including five from Meghalaya and one Assam Forest Guard were killed in the incident while 2 persons have been seriously injured .
Meanwhile mobile internet services have been suspended in seven districts of the state for 48 hours after six persons including one Assam forest official were killed in firing in Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills on the border between the two states.
Mobile internet/data services have been suspended in seven districts of Meghalaya beginning from 10:30 am today, a notification issued by the Home (Police) Department of Meghalaya government said.
“The injured have been rushed to hospital and an inquest is being conducted. An FIR has been registered by Meghalaya police,” the Chief Minister said in a press conference .
A notification issued by the Meghalaya government today read: “Reports have been received from police headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong that an untoward incident has occurred in Mukroh, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai, having a potential to disturb public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety in West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, which may likely breakdown law and order.”
In order to prevent the misuse of media (WhatsApp and social media like Facebook Twitter, YouTube etc) to disturb peace and tranquility in the state of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order, CVD Diengdoh, Secretary to the Home (Police) Department, Meghalaya, has brought this notification into effect.
The telecom and social media services will be shut across districts of Meghalaya namely West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts.
The notification read that violaters of the order will be penalised under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also the related provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
The Meghalaya Cabinet which met today to discuss in detail the incident that happened this morning in Mukroh, West Jaiñtia Hills District and a report was presented by officials.
Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui visited the incident spot and shared his report from ground zero.
Based on the Cabinet Meeting, following were the decisions made: On Nov 24 a Cabinet Delegation will meet the Union Home Minister to officially apprise him about the firing incident in Mukroh and demand for an investigation to be made through a Central Agency either NIA or CBI. As a sign of respect to those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident today, all Government official programs will be suspended till Nov 30.
To show solidarity with the people who have lost their lives and the families affected, all Festivals in any part of the Meghalaya will be cancelled till Nov 30 .
It was also decided a team led by the Chief Minister will meet the National Human Rights Commission and we will submit our report to the NHRC as well. Moreover , an SIT will be constituted to investigate into the case as the FIR is lodged and the DIG of the Eastern Range will be heading it.
The Chief Minister appealed to Government of India for a Central Agency to take over the investigation, the SIT will start conducting the investigation. When the appeal is approved by Government of India, the investigation will be handed to them.
A Judicial Commission under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1952 will be constituted to look into all the aspects of the incident.
On Wednesday ,Nov 23, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and a few Cabinet Ministers will travel to Mukroh village to visit the bereaved families and handover the ex gratia to the families.
