A night curfew has been imposed in Lapangap village under West Jaintia Hills district on Thursday following a violent clash between two groups that left one person dead and several others injured.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong confirmed the incident and said the clash occurred despite joint efforts by police from both Meghalaya and Assam to maintain peace. He said the confrontation erupted when residents of Lapangap were allowed to collect paddy from their fields under police supervision, but a group from the Karbi side arrived, triggering the violent clash.
The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Orivel Timung, son of Sarpang Eh Timung from Tahpat village under the Karbi community. Several villagers and police personnel also sustained injuries during the incident.
“To make sure that things do not go out of control, the government has decided to clamp night curfew (at Lapangap village). I also came to know that even the Assam government has also clamped night curfew in that particular area. Hopefully by tonight we will be able to control the situation,” Tynsong told reporters.
Stating that a joint regional committee has been constituted with Snaiwbhalang Dhar as the Chairman of the West Jaintia Hills regional committee, Tynsong said, “We had meetings with the chairman of the regional committee from this side and I have suggested him better you contact your counterpart, sit down. If needed just go to the ground, though the joint inspection is yet to take place, just go there and make people understand. Because right now the whole issue happened because of the boundary dispute it happens because this particular place is the area of difference.”
Defending the police over allegations of inaction, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “They acted that’s why if police were not there from both sides blood shed would have happened. They were there not only Assam police but also Meghalaya police but you understand because when you are there it’s a big area because that is a paddy field. It’s a big area, so they didn’t expect these people to come because initially everything was going smoothly but suddenly it happened.”
He further added, “We already have a discussion with our counterpart be it in the level of Chief Secretary, be it in the level of DGP, be it in the level of SP and DC, so they are in touch and I am very sure we will be able to control this.”
When asked about a possible joint enquiry into the incident, Tynsong said, “Right now nothing of that sort because certain procedures are there.”
“From our side, few police personnel also sustained some injuries (but not that serious) and even few villagers also sustained injuries. An FIR has been filed in the police station,” he added.
Appealing for calm, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Right now my only appeal to our own people is better to be cool and calm and as of now respect the law because curfew has been clamped and they should not come out and let the police force take full control of that area.”
