Mukroh, September 21: The Dorbar Shnong Mukroh Pyllun has sought an urgent clarification and action report from Meghalaya Police over the alleged entry and foot march of more than 20 Assam Police personnel up to Phlong in Mukroh village, West Jaintia Hills district, on Monday.
In a letter addressed to the In-Charge of Barato Police Outpost, the Dorbar said the Assam Police personnel allegedly entered the Phlong area at around 12:45 pm on September 21 without prior information being given to the Dorbar Shnong, local residents or Meghalaya Police personnel stationed at Mukroh.
According to the Dorbar, the Assam Police personnel, who were in uniform and carrying arms, marched on foot along the NEC road and an internal road from the Lumthridow side towards Phlong.
The Dorbar further alleged that the police personnel were accompanied by news reporters and cameramen who recorded their movement inside Mukroh village.It claimed that the incident created panic and confusion among villagers and sought to know whether Barato Police Outpost or the West Jaintia Hills District Police had prior information about the movement of Assam Police personnel.
The Dorbar maintained that Mukroh falls within Meghalaya and under the jurisdiction of Barato Police Outpost, Laskein Block, and questioned how Assam Police personnel could allegedly march inside the village without permission or joint coordination between the authorities of the two states.
It also pointed out that a Border Outpost and Meghalaya Police Battalion personnel are stationed at Lumthridow, Mukroh, and sought clarification on whether the officers concerned had been informed about the movement.
The Dorbar further questioned the purpose and authority behind the alleged march and the presence of media persons accompanying the Assam Police personnel.
Referring to the November 22, 2022 firing incident at Mukroh, the Dorbar said the village remains a sensitive border area and warned that movement of Assam Police personnel without prior information could create fear among residents and potentially lead to a law-and-order situation.
The Dorbar requested the police authorities to provide a written clarification on whether they had prior information about the movement up to Phlong and urged the Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills district, to take up the matter with his counterpart in West Karbi Anglong district.
It also demanded that Assam Police personnel should not enter Mukroh village in future without prior intimation and joint coordination in accordance with the understanding between the two states.
The Dorbar further called for increased patrolling and security at the Mukroh Border Outpost to ensure the safety of villagers and their property.The letter was signed by Dorbar Shnong Mukroh Pyllun Waheh Shnong Kithang Maskut and Secretary Preciostar Sten.
