BSF personnel under investigation for shooting trucker

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today informed that an investigation is on into the gunning down of a trucker by the BSF personnel at Mawshun village on May 5, this year.

Replying to a zero-hour notice moved by NPP legislator from Sohra Gavin Miguel Mylliem in the Assembly, Tynsong said that there are two FIRs being filed on the incident.

On May 5, 2023, at around 10.24 pm, an incident occurred in which (L) Running Nongkynrih of Jalynteng, driver of the truck (ML 05F 3885) was fired upon by a BSF personnel at Mawshun village near petrol pump, NH-40 (Shillong-Dawki Road, Pynursla.

Due to the firing incident, the driver succumbed to his injuries and died on the spot.

He said one FIR was filed by a relative of the deceased, Riverskhem Nongkynrih and another FIR was filed by the BSF against the deceased person at the Pynursla police station.

“The investigation of both the cases is ensuing, and the police officials are putting in sincere efforts to ascertain the facts and circumstances of both the cases,” Tynsong said.

He said that no one was arrested in connection with the instant case.

As per the report filed by Riverskhem, it was intimated that the complainant and his cousin’s brother, the deceased person, were proceeding from Umthli village to transport buffaloes to their owner’s shed and on reaching near Mawshun village, the deceased person took a right turn in order to unload the buffaloes. However, during that time a mini truck of BSF was also following them from behind and suddenly without any warning the BSF personnel rushed towards the complainant and the victim and started firing, as a result of which the victim collapsed.

In its counter FIR filed against the deceased driver (L) Running Nongkynrih, the BSF said that on the night of May 5, 2023, the mobile check post (MCP) party of ‘G’ Company, 4 Battalion Border Security Force deployed for duty at Pynursla-Dawki road near Wahkdait village, had cautioned the driver to stop for checking.

Instead of stopping, the driver tried to escape by hitting and running over the BSF personnel on duty.

The personnel on duty sensing danger, had fired 2 rounds in the air at an interval, but the driver did not stop and tried to hit the personnel on duty.

Seeing an imminent threat to his life the personnel again fired one round towards the tyre of the truck with the intention to stop the vehicle, but the driver turned his vehicle towards the left and collided with the divider.

Tynsong said that the gunning down of the victim had sparked the ire of the local populace and a law and order situation had arisen.

“In view of the tense situation in the area, security has been tightened and Meghalaya police is keeping a close watch on the situation,” he said while informing that as of now the situation is normal in the area.

CM inspects ongoing projects in WGH

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inspected several ongoing projects with Tura and its adjoining areas in West Garo Hills on Thursday.

He inspected the ongoing construction of the Tura Medical College at Doldegre, about 7 km from Tura town, where Tura Civil Hospital is located.

Reviewing the ongoing construction with officials of health department, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills and officials of the construction company, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the pace of the construction is slow, which has been quickened recently.

“The civil works of the college should be completed by June-July next year. We are hopeful to complete the infrastructure and start the medical college. The process to increase the beds in Tura Civil Hospital will also start soon,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister has also directed Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani to hold regular reviews with the construction company and ensure that the college is completed within the coming year.

He also inspected the ongoing construction of Tura Youth Convention Centre, which is coming up at Dakopgre and also the Track and Field Stadium.

Expressing happiness over the ongoing construction of the sports and youth facilities, he said, “We expect that within 1.5 years, the stadium and the convention centre will be inaugurated. These two infrastructures will be a blessing for Tura town and the State as a whole as different kinds of sports, games and events of State and national level can be held in Tura in the near future.”

Construction of Tura Medical College in progress

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has informed that the work for the construction of the Tura medical college is progressing.

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“We have about 45 per cent of physical progress. There are some problems (and) we are engaging with other nearby hospitals to ensure that we reach the mark of 450 beds as recommended by the MCI,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She said that there were also certain problems with the availability of funds but that also has been sorted out.

The minister also announced that she will be visiting the construction site very shortly and said, “I am waiting for the model code of conduct to be completed quickly so I can begin to go on the ground to understand better but the Tura Medical College is progressing.

On the proposal to set up the Shillong medical college, Lyngdoh said that the government is yet to formulate a finalized approach and the matter has still to be taken to the cabinet adding that “but internal engagements are on”.

“We still require proper cabinet note to be sent proper projections to be made but yes Shillong medical college will probably change from the old proposal,” she said while adding that “We may have a PPP proposal as proposed earlier but not necessarily in Shillong but somewhere in this part of the state but all of this is being prepared now and it would be incorrect for me to divulge too much on that but one message which can go very clearly is that we are a concern and we are on the job and we will come up with a proposal and a plan at the earliest.”

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “We want these institutions to be materialized within the timeline that was specified. I know that yes we were told to institute one and it has been done in the Garo region yes we have to institute something in the Khasi region or the Ri Bhoi region as well that is we are on the job and on the pipeline but we cannot spell it out with full authority as we are still at a discussion level and we still looking at what is the best way forward.”

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.