Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Insists Firing Has Nothing To Do With Border Dispute Between Two States ; Admits Firing Was Little Unprovoked

Picture : Twitter/ ANI

The firing incident that took place after a clash between Meghalaya villagers and a contingent of police and forest guards from Assam has nothing to do with the border dispute between the two states, said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“Just to clarify that incident has nothing to do with the border, the way it is reported in national media. It was basically a clash between villagers and police regarding certain forest timbers,” Sarma told reporters.

“The matter was related to some clash regarding timbers and we have ordered a judicial inquiry and also referred the matter to the investigation by CBI or NIA. Compensation has been announced and the person responsible is put under suspension,” Sarma added.

In ANI report, Further, on being asked whether the incident will derail the ongoing talks on border dispute resolution, he reiterated that it has nothing to do with borders.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has announced Rs 5 lakh with each to the next of kin of the six deceased persons, who died in the firing incident.

Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, also said the interstate border is peaceful, and the recent clashes had erupted between locals and forest guards.

“I feel there was no need to fire to the extent the police did. The firing was a little unprovoked, and the police could have acted in a little more controlled manner,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in the national capital.

According to the police, force was used for defensive reasons during the clash, the CM said. “… However, in my view, it (force) was used a little arbitrarily. That should not have happened,” he said.