The working president of the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has written to the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) with a list of alleged abuses committed by the Border Security Force (BSF) against civilians.
Thomas Passah claimed that the BSF harms “innocent civilians” of Meghalaya more than it protects the international border.
Three incidents were cited in the written complaint, which was dated yesterday.
Last month, Roning Nongkynrih was transporting several buffalo by truck when he 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 were arrested in connection with the death as investigations proceed.
In February, Dr Seiboklang Buam, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer of Muktapur veterinary dispensary in West Jaintia Hills, alleged that he was harassed by BSF troops at Lakroh Shiv Mandir, Hawai Tilla, West Jaiñtia Hills while on his way for fishing. Two BSF personnel questioned him aggressively, snatched his phone, forced him to strip, kneel and beg for forgiveness and then threatened to take him to the border and shoot him, it was claimed.
Passah also said that, recently, BSF jawans under the influence of alcohol physically assaulted three youths at Lyngkhat village.
“As per the statement of the victims, the BSF personnel have warned the victims not to report the incident while simultaneously trying to intimidate them by loading a weapon and pointing it towards them,” Passah said, adding that there have been many more human rights violations committed by BSF personnel over the years.
