Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday led a cabinet delegation to Mukroh village and handed over Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of each of the five persons who were killed during recent clashes along a disputed border area with Assam, officials said.
Sangma was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsonga, Urban Affairs Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar and Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla, among others, they said.
Interacting with the family members of the deceased, the chief minister expressed his condolences on behalf of the state government and told them that all official functions and festivals have been cancelled in the wake of the incident.
On his way to the village, Sangma faced protests from members of social organisations, who demanded that the culprits be booked as per law.
He assured that the perpetrators would be brought to book, the officials said.
We stand with our people of Mukroh.
Visited the bereaved families to offer our condolences to the bereaved families of the 5 individuals who lost their precious lives in the recent firing incident in Mukroh, West Jaiñtia Hills District @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/Lan3NJ4MdT
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Meghalaya has also handed over the body of the forest guard to Assam.
The Assam Forest Protection Force personnel, identified as Bidyasing Lekhte, was killed along with five others during the violent clash between civilians from Meghalaya and a team of Assam Police and Forest guards.
Lekhte’s body was taken by Meghalaya Police along with the other victims who were from that state.
“The Meghalaya authorities handed over the body in the evening near the border in West Karbi Anglong district. After completing the formalities, we took charge of the body,” an Assam government official said.
Read more: Uneasy calm in Mukroh village after six killed in violence at Assam-Meghalaya border
Assam Cabinet institutes one man inquiry commission in police-Meghalaya civilian conflict situation
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