East Khasi Hills, June 26: A border outpost in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district was targeted by a mob, resulting in injuries to at least 5 individuals, including 2 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. The incident occurred in Umsyiem village near Dawki town, situated 100 km south of the state capital. Officials provided details of the incident on Monday.
According to Pradip Kumar, the Inspector General of BSF Meghalaya Frontier, “In recent days, we have seized a significant quantity of items intended for smuggling into Bangladesh and have identified the smugglers. As a result, they instigated a mob to attack the outpost, leading the BSF to respond by firing warning shots in the air.”
He further explained that during the attack, the mob pelted stones at the outpost, injuring two BSF personnel. Some villagers attempted to forcefully enter the outpost but were repelled.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred when a vehicle with three occupants broke down near the outpost. “This angered the BSF, who accused the trio of being smugglers and confronted them. The news of the attack spread, and nearby villagers came to their aid,” stated one eyewitness.
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The villagers also alleged that the BSF personnel were intoxicated while on duty, an accusation that the Inspector General vehemently denied. “All personnel stationed at the border are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol,” clarified Kumar.
Local police and senior BSF officials promptly arrived at the scene to contain the situation and restore order. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Such incidents of mob violence pose a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies and jeopardize the safety and security of both the personnel involved and the local communities. The BSF remains committed to upholding the law and protecting the borders, ensuring the safety of the nation and its citizens.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by security forces in maintaining peace and order in sensitive areas, particularly in border regions prone to smuggling activities. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, local communities, and authorities to prevent such incidents and foster a secure and harmonious environment for all.
