From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI, Sep 22: The one-man inquiry commission has completed the inquiry into the firing at Mukroh along the Assam-Meghalaya border, and submitted its report to the Home and Political department, Assam government, an official statement informed on Friday.
The Assam government had in November last year instituted the one-man inquiry panel, headed by Justice Rumi Kumari Phukan, retired judge of Gauhati High Court, to ascertain the circumstances leading to the firing at Mukroh along the Assam-Meghalaya border on November 22, 2022.
Five civilians from Meghalaya and a forest guard from Assam lost their lives in the incident.
A statement issued here said that the probe commission has completed the inquiry in terms of reference and in accordance with the notification (number HMA 19015/19/2022 political (a) H&P (Ecf-250762) dated November 23, 2022, and submitted its report to the additional chief secretary (home and political department), Assam government, on September 20, 2023. “The commission examined a large number of witnesses and documents produced by the forest department as well as police department and different organisations,” the statement said.
The inquiry commission was mandated to inquire into the circumstances leading to the incident with the period to complete the probe extended twice as sought for till September 22, 2023.
The Assam government had in March this year, extended the term of the probe by six months with effect from March 22, 2023, or till the submission of its report, whichever is earlier.
Notably, following the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had asked the Union home secretary and the chief secretary, Assam government to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in areas of border disputes between neighbouring states.