Nongpoh, Jul 31: A 28-year-old school teacher from Garo Banga (Amreng) village in the Jirang constituency of Ri-Bhoi, was allegedly physically beaten while detained by Assam Forest Department personnel near the interstate border yesterday.
Noreshor Timung was picked up from Umshalani village around between 2pm and 3pm without any clear reason. He was reportedly beaten and forcibly taken in a Bolero vehicle to Lokhra, sustaining injuries to his arms and body.
Eyewitnesses, including family members, followed him to Lokhra and claimed they were also manhandled by the Assam Forest Department officials and security forces while demanding his release.
Following the incident, Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun intervened and asked the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi to speak with the authorities in Assam. The teacher was released later that night.
Speaking to reporters, Sohtun condemned the act, pointing out that the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute is still unresolved and such actions, especially against peaceful citizens, are unacceptable. He urged the Meghalaya government to take up the matter with Assam to ensure safety and peace for people living in border areas.
