Nongpoh, July 31: A 28-year-old schoolteacher identified as Noreshor Timung from Garo Banga (Amreng) village, located along the Meghalaya-Assam border under Jirang constituency, was allegedly assaulted by officials of the Assam Forest Department at Umshalini village.
According to reliable sources, the incident occurred around 2 to 3 PM on Wednesday when Forest personnel from Assam allegedly apprehended Timung without offering any explanation for the arrest. He was forcibly taken to Lokhra in Assam, where he was subjected to physical assault, leaving him with severe injuries to his body.
Family members and local residents, who witnessed the incident, attempted to follow the officials and demanded his immediate release. It is further alleged that the Assam Forest staff along with Assam Police not only ignored their pleas but also physically manhandled some of the villagers during the confrontation.
Upon receiving information about the incident, Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun promptly intervened. He reached out to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Ri Bhoi District, urging them to coordinate with their Assam counterparts for the immediate release of the teacher and to address the matter urgently.
MLA Sohtun later informed that following swift intervention by the Ri Bhoi district administration, the issue was resolved and Timung was released later the same night.
While boundary talks between the two states are still in the preliminary stages and several disputes remain unresolved, Sohtun expressed deep concern over recurring incidents like this along the interstate border, which threaten the peace and safety of residents in his constituency.
He also appealed to the Ri Bhoi district authorities and the Meghalaya government to take the matter seriously and initiate formal dialogue with the Assam government to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.