Meghalaya to set up BoPs in sensitive border areas : CM Sangma

Condemning the firing, the Meghalaya Chief Minister said “The Mukroh firing incident is a personal loss to the State of Meghalaya”

Meghalaya government will set up border outposts in sensitive areas along the inter-State borders with Assam, its Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Monday, almost a week after the violence that claimed six lives.

Mr. Sangma announced the government decision after chairing an all-party meeting in Shillong which was attended by local MLAs from Jaintia Hills.

The lawmakers were briefed on steps that have been taken and the future course of action by the State government following the firing at Mukroh on November 22 in which five villagers and an Assam forest guard lost their lives. “Informed the political leaders that the Cabinet will sit tomorrow to finalise the list of the various Border Outposts (BOPs) that will be set up in sensitive areas,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Sangma said, “Necessary steps will be taken to make border residents safe and secured.” He observed a two minute silence to mourn the dead.

Condemning the firing, the Meghalaya Chief Minister said “The Mukroh firing incident is a personal loss to the State of Meghalaya. I have appealed to all political leaders to work together to ensure normalcy returns and no further violence occur in the state.” The State police, he said, have registered a case against those involved in the assault and intimidation inside the Shillong civil hospital last week.

“Such violent acts are unacceptable. Actions will be taken as per law against individuals,” Mr. Sangma said.

Meanwhile, the state government on Monday withdrew its order suspending mobile internet services across seven districts in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region after the violence.