SHILLONG: In the wake of the killing of a civilian driver in an IED blast at Bokchung village in West Khasi Hills on March 20, Home Minister Roshan Warjri, while replying to the zero hour notice by Witting Mawsor (HSPDP) on the incident, referred to the chief minister’s statement that the security apparatus of the State will be strengthened.
She termed the incident as most unfortunate and highly condemnable.
Warjri informed that on the fateful day, security forces were transported from Shallang to Bokchung village, and added, “The vehicles were to drop the platoon of CRPF and return to Shallang. At about 3:05 PM, information was received at Shallang PS that militants had ambushed and fired on security personnel at Bokchung village.”
On the arrival of Additional SP West Khasi Hills (Camp Shallang) and Sub Inspector, the OC of Shallang PS, along with available forces, proceeded to the place of occurrence where it was found that a powerful IED was detonated by suspected GNLA militants when the vehicles reached a small culvert on the outskirts of the village.
Due to impact of the blast, the right portion of the vehicle sustained severe damage and the driver of the vehicle, Lipen Basumatary, sustained serious injuries and succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
“The militants also fired at the police and CRPF and the security forces retaliated. After the firing subsided, a careful search of the blast site was conducted from where a lot of incriminating materials including electric cables, batteries, etc., were recovered and seized. A few other personnel also sustained minor injuries due to the blast. They were also medically attended to,” the Home minister said.
