Truck driver transporting cattle shot dead by BSF in Meghalaya, probe on

A truck driver transporting cattle was shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) troops, allegedly at point-blank range, at a check post in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, reports said on Sunday.

According to officials, 32-year-old Roning Nongkynrih was shot and killed by BSF personnel guarding a check post at Mawshun village, around 17 km from the India-Bangladesh border, on Saturday after they opened fire on his truck which was carrying cattle.

The slain victim’s cousin Ribalskhem Nongkynrih, who was accompanying him in the truck when the incident took place, has alleged that Roning was shot at point-blank range by the BSF men, however, the accused troopers have refuted the accusations and claimed that the truck did not stop at the check post when signaled and they opened fire in self-defense as they feared the vehicle may run them over.

Following the incident, the BSF authorities have ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.

A senior police officer said that a team from Pynursla Police Station went to the spot and legal formalities were completed by a magistrate.

East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police S Nongtnger said a case of murder under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at the Pynursla Police Station and further investigation is underway, however, no arrests have been made so far.

Condoling the “unfortunate” death, Meghalaya Frontier BSF Inspector General Pradip Kumar said that immediate action has been initiated and the force has ordered a court of inquiry headed by a DIG rank officer to ascertain the facts about the incident, adding that the three accused BSF personnel involved in the incident have been shifted from the location and sent back the frontier headquarters in Shillong.

The BSF officer, citing preliminary investigation, said the troopers who shot the man have claimed that they opened fire in self-defense as they sensed that the truck won’t stop at the post and they will be run over, adding that the BSF will fully cooperate with the police investigation and all facts will be revealed soon.