Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for over an hour on Thursday amid reports of fresh tension in the state. Reports say some people torched a traffic booth and attacked three police vehicles including a bus, in Shillong. The attack came as a candlelight vigil in progress against the November 22 violence on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
Mr Shah has assured Mr Sangma that the Central Bureau of Investigation will probe the firing at Mukroh area of West Jaintia Hills district. Six persons, including five from Meghalaya and an Assam Forest Guard personnel, were killed in the firing.
To maintain law and order, the Meghalaya government has extended the suspension on mobile internet and data for another 48 hours. The suspension has been imposed in seven districts, an official statement read.
"It was an unprovoked incident and excess force was used by the Assam Police. We have requested the Centre to ask the CBI or NIA (National Investigation Agency) to investigate the matter," Mr Sangma told reporters after meeting Amit Shah. He also asked the Centre to ensure the safety of people in sensitive zones. The Chief Minister said Mr Shah has assured him that the Centre will "act on our request for a probe and the guilty will be punished".
The incident has derailed the peace talks between Assam and Meghalaya. "In many areas, trust needs to be built again and for that, the support of Centre will be needed," he added. The root cause of tension between the two states is a long pending border issue, he said.
"This is not a boundary dispute. It is related to smuggling. That's why the case is being handed over to CBI," a senior home ministry official told NDTV. According to him, the presence of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) has been increased along border areas too.
Yesterday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the investigation will be handed over to the CBI.
The Assam Cabinet took the decision in Delhi, where most ministers are attending a three-day celebration to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan.
The 17th Century general known for his leadership in the 1671 battle of Saraighat, which thwarted an attempt by Mughal forces to capture Assam, is an icon of the state.
Featured Video Of The Day
Encounter Breaks Out Between Terrorists, Security Forces In J&K's Srinagar, Area Cordoned Off
Canadian Diplomat Summoned After Allegations Against Amit Shah By Minister From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel To Amit Shah, India's Home Ministers Since Independence 'Will Chop Them Up...': Mithun Chakraborty At Kolkata Rally With Amit Shah India A "Cyber Adversary", Says Trudeau Government, New Delhi Shreds Claim 8 Mobiles, 20 SIMs, 6 Fake Names: Delhi Doctor Murder Accused's Exit Plan Video: Dubai Woman Shares Millionaire Husband's "Strict Rules" All About Kamala Harris: Life, Family, Wealth And Her Impact On US Politics Kemi Badenoch Is New Chief Of UK's Conservative Party, Succeeds Rishi Sunak Indian Firms Sanctioned By US Not In Violation Of National Laws: Centre Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.