New Delhi, Nov 29 (Agency) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took cognizance of the recent firing incident at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya. The Rights body in a statement said it has asked Union Home Secretary and Assam Chief Secretary to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in areas of border disputes between neighbouring states. The response is expected in two weeks, it said. The NHRC’s direction after Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma submitted a memorandum to it over the incident.
“It seems this incident has taken place due to the border dispute between the two states – Assam and Meghalaya, which is a larger issue, pending for long. Prima-facie, it appears that, had this dispute been settled, such type of incident would have been averted,” the Commission said. The NHRC added, “Whatsoever may be the dispute between the States, Police has to use restrain in such situations. Therefore, it would want to get examined the SOP in operation, if any, about firing by Armed Forces/Police in areas of a border dispute between neighbouring States.” Six persons- five civilians from Meghalaya and one Assam forest guard died and two civilians were seriously injured during the violent clashes between the villagers and Assam police last week.