SHILLONG: In Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills, BSF officers shot and killed a 32-year-old truck driver who was allegedly transporting animals, prompting the force to order a court of inquiry, officials said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday in Mawshun village when BSF guards at a checkpoint opened fire on the truck, instantly killing the driver Roning Nongkynrih. 17 miles separate Mawshun from the Bangladesh-India border.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has mandated a court of inquiry. However, the accused staff asserted that they acted in self-defense out of fear of being driven over by the vehicle.
However, Ribalskhem Nongkynrih, the deceased's cousin sibling who was also in the truck, claimed that the BSF officers shot at point blank range.
A team from Pynursla Police Station was dispatched to the scene, said the East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police S. Nongtnger, and a magistrate took care of the necessary formalities.
"It is a tragic situation. We have approached the situation very seriously. He added that no arrests have been made thus far. "A case under Section 302 [murder] of the Indian Penal Code was registered with Pynursla Police Station and further investigation is underway," he said.
While expressing condolences for the loss, Meghalaya Frontier BSF Inspector General Pradip Kumar stated that prompt action has been taken.
"I have appointed a DIG rank officer to preside over a court of inquiry. We'll ascertain the case's facts. The official said the three troops who were involved in the incident have left the area and are returning to the frontier headquarters in Shillong.
"According to the preliminary investigation, the employees who killed the victim claimed that they opened fire in self-defense after sensing that the truck would not stop and they would be run over. But we will discover the truth while aiding the police in their inquiry as well, he said.
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