Trucker’s death: BSF meant for border only, says govt

SHILLONG, May 10: Noting the alleged violation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the BSF, the state government on Wednesday said it will take steps to ensure the force remains confined to the Bangladesh border.
Three BSF personnel were arrested in connection with the killing of a truck driver in the East Khasi Hills district on May 5.
“Absolutely, there has been a violation of the SOPs. Why were they in a civilian area when they were supposed to be posted on the international border?” Cabinet Minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh asked.
According to him, the BSF’s primary duty is to guard the international border and thwart crimes such as infiltration, smuggling, etc.
“Now we will push to make sure they are moved to the international border to do what they have to do,” Lyngdoh said.
The Minister said the government is in touch with the BSF as some compensation has to be paid to the next of kin of the victim. “Those modalities will be worked out by the state government in consultation with the BSF higher-up,” he said.
Lyngdoh said such incidents could be avoided only by pushing the force to the international border.
“The Bangladesh border is a very long stretch and it needs to be guarded well. Not just smuggling, illegal infiltration is also taking place and it could change the demographic balance of Meghalaya,” he said.
He further said that Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also in-charge of Home, is seized of the matter. He said Tynsong will soon hold a review meeting as these are matters for the Home department to attend to.
“I am sure he will be able to handle the matters in such a way that the current scenario will change,” Lyngdoh added.
Bindo writes to BSF DG
Veteran politician Bindo Mathew Lanong, on Wednesday, said that the state police should take up the matter in accordance with normal procedures to investigate into the gunning down of the trucker, Roning Nongkynrih, by the three BSF personnel at Pomshutia village on May 5.
“The state police should take up the matter in accordance with normal procedures. This heinous offence committed with clear intention of causing hurt or injury, also warrants compensation to the family members of victim, I would request you to please look into this matter also,” the veteran politician said.
Appreciating the prompt action against the BSF personnel, Lanong, in a letter to the BSF Director General, questioned how the ‘guilty’ personnel roamed about inside civilian villages around Mawshun-Pomshutia area at midnight.
The village is about 9 km away from Dawki border, whereas they were posted to perform duty along the international borders of the country, Bindo pointed out.
He said that the place of occurrence of the incident is within the jurisdiction of the state police (Pynursla PS). “How can this be attributed to illegal border trade?” Lanong said.
“The incident which had caused the life of a poor young villager, father of 2 minor children and husband of a poor unemployed villager, had once again exposed the serious breach of discipline by your border guards, who are always reportedly absent from their place of duty, leaving behind the porous borders in search of liquor and other entertainments, as always rued by villagers against your personnel,” Langong said in the letter.
Lanong in the letter observed that the incident could have easily been avoided by firing in the air or at the most at the tyres of the truck.