SHILLONG: 10 May 2023 (PTI Source)
In a tragic incident, a truck driver was shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district. The deceased, Roning Nongkynrih, was transporting cattle when he was allegedly fired upon by the BSF personnel guarding a check post at Mawshun village on Saturday.
Mawshun is located about 17 km away from the India-Bangladesh border. According to reports, the BSF personnel have cited self-defence as the reason for firing, claiming they feared being run over by the truck. However, Ribalskhem Nongkynrih, the driver's cousin who was travelling in the same truck, has alleged that the BSF personnel opened fire from point-blank range.
The incident has prompted the BSF to order a court of inquiry into the matter. SP East Khasi Hills, S Nongtnger confirmed that the police had registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code at Pynursla Police Station, and investigations are underway. No arrests have been made so far.
Meghalaya Frontier BSF Inspector General Pradip Kumar expressed condolences over the driver's death and said that immediate action had been initiated. The incident has caused outrage in the area, with demands for a thorough investigation and strict action against the BSF personnel involved in the incident.