The allegation that Border Security Force (BSF) personnel assaulted civilians and damaged their vehicles in East Jaintia Hills is a blatant fabrication by the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the BSF said today.
Three people were allegedly assaulted and cars vandalised by BSF personnel who were said to have been inebriated on April 20 at around 9pm near the Huroi Junction at Sonapyrdi (Sonapur). The matter was brought to light by the KSU, which wants the BSF removed from Sonapyrdi. No FIR had been filed at the time with police.
Putting its own case to the public, the BSF said today that its mobile check post at Sonapyrdi intercepted as many as four vehicles transporting sugar from Ladrymbai towards the Kuliang-Umkiang border area. The BSF has set up mobile check posts at several strategic locations to curb smuggling activities.
When the jawans asked to see documentation proving the legality of the sugar consignments, the individuals attempted to speed away, a BSF release said.
After a pursuit, the BSF seized one of the vehicles near Shymplong Bridge but the driver fled the scene. He later returned, however, with accomplices, who the BSF said “appeared intoxicated”. They, the press release claimed, verbally abused the BSF personnel stationed at Sonapyrdi check post and threatened the jawans with violence.
The men in uniform “responded with patience and attempted to defuse the situation.” The seized sugar and the vehicle, a Bolero, were handed over to Customs officials and the next day the BSF company commander met with headmen of Shymplong and Sonapyrdi “to identify the culprits and explain the consequences of smuggling”. The force also informed police at Umkiang and the Superintendent of Police’s office in Khliehriat about the incident.
The BSF accused the KSU and other pressure groups of “consistently attempting to harass the BSF by levelling false allegations.” It described the accusations made in this case of beating civilians and vandalising vehicles (photographs purporting to be evidence of which were provided by the KSU) as “entirely untrue, fabricated and devoid of any merit.”
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) East Jaiñtia Hills District unit has decided to hold a public protest against the alleged atrocities committed by the Border Security Force (BSF).
The union said they will hold the protest at Sonapyrdi and demand the removal of the BSF camp from the area.
