A truck driver was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) at Mawshun near Pomshutia in Pynursla last night for allegedly smuggling cattle to the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The deceased has been identified as Roning Nongkynrih (35) hailing from Nongkynrih Jalynteng village.
The incident occurred at around 11 pm when Nongkynrih was returning from Laitlyngkot transporting cattle.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger said a case has been registered at Pynursla Police Station and investigation is on.
A relative of the victim said the latter was shifting six buffaloes from the nearby area to another place and there was nothing illegal.
According to the handyman of the truck, who is also the brother of the deceased, they were moving when a vehicle of the BSF asked them to stop. “When the truck stopped the BSF personnel opened fire and shot dead the driver,” he said.
According to the BSF source, the BSF personnel asked the driver to stop but he wanted to proceed resulting in the BSF resorting to blank fire in the air.
The BSF is yet to release any official statement.
“On spot investigation is being carried out by BSF, will let you know shortly”, a BSF official said.
The Rangbah Shnong of Jalynteng has condemned the act and called it a “brutal murder” by the men in uniform. He demanded stern action against those involved and compensation from the government and the BSF for the deceased’s family.
Meanwhile, the KSU South Central Circle has demanded the immediate removal of the BSF personnel deployed in Pynursla and Langkyrdem.
Circle assistant general secretary Vorrozislov Sohkhlet said, “The BSF should go to the borders and not come to our villages and we demand the immediate arrest of the BSF and to punish them as per the law.”
The KSU has planned for a protest rally on Monday.
