SHILLONG, May 8: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said he has sought a full report of the case where BSF personnel gunned down a truck driver at Pomshutia along the Pynursla-Dawki road on the night of May 5 for allegedly transporting cattle.
Sangma told reporters that he has asked the investigation officer to submit a full report on the incident.
“It will not be appropriate for me to comment until and unless I receive the full report,” the CM added.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh said he will write a demi official letter to both Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong and the BSF Director General (DG) to ensure that the personnel responsible for gunning down the truck driver are brought to book.
“The use of excessive force should not be tolerated. We also need to ensure that such things do not happen again,” Lyngdoh said, assuring to follow up on the matter until all those involved are booked under the relevant provisions of the law.
Lyngdoh also demanded that BSF personnel deployed in the areas under Pynursla civil subdivision are removed immediately.
“The mandate of the BSF personnel is to guard the international border and keep a check on the entry of illegal immigrants from the other side of the border,” he added.
Arrest of 3 BSF personnel demanded
Members of the South-Central Circle of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday organised a rally near the Pynursla Market to demand the immediate arrest of three the three BSF personnel involved in Nongkynrih’s killing.
The KSU unit also questioned the authority of the BSF in the constituency represented by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
Speakers at the rally attended by KSU general secretary Donald Thabah and leaders of other pressure groups strongly condemned the killing of Nongkynrih. Many carried placards sporting slogans slamming the BSF.
Thabah said the attack by the paramilitary forces or army on unarmed civilians is nothing new in the Northeastern region.
“The BSF personnel have no right to take a life. But the personnel responsible for gunning down Nongkynrih will have no regret for their act,” he said.
Thabah said paramilitary forces do not open fire on their citizens in any other country.
“This happens only in India. This only reflects how the Centre treats the people of the region,” he added, urging everyone to come out and protest Nongkynrih’s killing.
“The exploitation of the indigenous population of the state is not restricted to the cities. The people in the border villages are not safe from their own men in uniform,” he said.
Others who spoke at the rally include the leaders of the Federation of Ri War Mihngi, KSU Jaintia Hills district, HYC Pynursla Circle, and the HNYF.
