Assam SUV set on fire in Shillong after Mukroh firing that killed six people
In the hours following the clash over a state border issue in the West Jaintia Hills, which left six persons dead, five of whom were from
The killing of five Meghalayan citizens by Assam police and forest guards in Mukroh village, Block-I of the West Jaintia Hills district, provoked vehement anti-Assam sentiments among the locals and forced the governments of both states to shift into damage control mode in order to prevent further unrest.
According to the Assam government, the incident occurred in Mukhrow under Jirikinding police station in the state's West Karbi Anglong district between "Assam forest personnel and unknown miscreants."
In the hours following the clash over a state border issue in the West Jaintia Hills, which left six persons dead, five of whom were from
Meghalaya's side, an SUV with an Assam number was set on fire in Shillong, the capital of Maghalaya. There were no reported casualties when a fire brigade extinguished the inferno that entirely burned the SUV. Unidentified individuals set ablaze an SUV with the Assam registration number (AS01 DK 5958) on Tuesday night opposite the Arya Vidyalaya School on Luckier Road in the city, displaying their anti-Assam prejudice.
According to police reports, it is "believed to have been an aftermath of the firing event at Mukroh hamlet in West Jaintia Hills."
Conrad K. Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya, however, accused Assam of the "unprovoked firing" and chastised them.
The event in which Assam Police and Assam Forest Guards entered Meghalaya and used unjustified gunfire is highly condemned by the government. Government of Meghalaya would do all possible to see that justice is done and that those accountable for this inhuman act are brought to justice, Sangma tweeted.
Due to the potential for rapid escalation of border disputes—as was recently witnessed—Meghalaya temporarily suspended mobile internet connection in seven districts of the state for 48 hours starting from Tuesday morning.
In addition, the administration postponed all official events, including the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, "as a token of respect and mourning for the departed."
Additionally, formal government initiatives, such as the groundbreaking of new projects or the official launch of any programmes in Meghalaya, have been put on hold until November 30.
A judicial enquiry was ordered and a FIR was also lodged by the Meghalayan government to ascertain the incident's details.
Violence in Meghalaya after firing incident at the Assam-Meghalaya border.
— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) November 22, 2022
A Scorpio car heading towards Guwahati, Assam was set on fire by locals of Meghalaya.pic.twitter.com/tZSDJB1HIw
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