Cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh has made his opinion on the killing of truck driver Roning Nongkynrih clear – that the Border Security Force (BSF) violated standard operating procedures (SOPs), which led to the needless death of the man.
It was on May 5 that Nongkynrih, who was transporting several buffalo by truck, was apparently shot dead by BSF personnel near Pynursla. His brother, who was also the truck handyman, claimed that Nongkynrih had stopped when ordered to do so by the BSF personnel but that they had shot him regardless. The BSF, on the other hand, claimed that the truck did not heed its personnel’s warnings to stop and that the force resorted to firing blanks. Three BSF personnel have been arrested in connection with the death as investigations proceed.
Lyngdoh has strenuously taken up the case despite it falling outside his remit, writing to his colleagues in government as well as the BSF over the matter.
Besides the alleged violation of SOPs, he told reporters today that the other matter is why the BSF men were operating in Pynursla, which while close to the international border is still some distance away from it.
One of the roles the BSF is tasked with is to halt cross-border smuggling, with the illegal transport of cattle taking up much of their time. However, Nongkynrih’s family have stated that the cattle in question were legally acquired and were being moved within the state.
When asked if the BSF personnel have been handed over to the state police, Lyngdoh said that the first course of action has been the arrest and a preliminary inquiry has already begun within the BSF and the government will follow up on the case.
As to compensation to the next of kin, he said that these modalities are being worked out by the state government in consultation with the BSF.
