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Meghalaya residents flee over-the-border firing

Hundreds of people fled their home in Meghalaya's Amjalong village in Jaintia hills after Bangladesh Rifles resorted to indiscriminate firing on Saturday, a delayed report said today.

The incident occurred when local cultivators were engaged in their routine works at the bordering village of Amjalong, Bangladeshi nationals accompanied by BDR personnel attacked them, claiming the cultivated land to be under their territory. On hearing the firing, Border Security Force personnel immediately rushed to rescue the villagers and returned fire in which two BDR personnel were injured, sources said.

The firing from across the border lasted for about ten minutes that caused panic among the local residents, who immediately fled from their homes and took shelter in near by jungle.

The sub-divisional officer of Amlerm, accompanied by additional police force, rushed to the area to assess the situation.

However, the panic-stricken people refused to return home despite assurances from the officials, fearing further attack from across the border.

The deputy superintendent of police, who had visited the area on Sunday, said an epidemic might break out among the people staying in jungles.

Meanwhile, government officials from Jaintia hills visited the area yesterday to persuade the people to go back to their homes.

Relief materials and medical facility had been provided to them and guarding along the border area was intensified to meet any eventuality, the officials said.

UNI

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