The Assam Commissioner and Secretary (Home and Political) Jishnu Barua, in an affidavit submitted recently to the Shillong Bench of Gauhati High Court and alleged that the Khasi people intended to force out non-Khasis from Langpih (Lampi) area in Meghalaya-Assam boundary. The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by the Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council (MPHRC).
"The May 14, 2010, firing incident as revealed by facts makes it prima facie apparent that the attacks on the Nepali community in Lower Lampi market was pre-planned and carefully orchestrated," the affidavit states. The affidavit further added that the mob comprising over 1000 Khasis was carrying lethal weapons like daos (mechetes), catapults, pebbles, marbles, etc., clearly demonstrating their intention to chase out non-Khasis from Langpih.
On May 25 this year, the division bench of the Gauhati High Court Shillong Bench had directed the centre and state governments of Assam and Meghalaya to file a reply within four weeks in connection with the May 14 Assam police firing incident that claimed the lives of four Khasi villagers and injured several others, at Langpih.
This directive came following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by MPHRC secretary-general Dino Dean G. Dympep. He has also alleged that the subsequent actions of the mob in laying seize and attacking the border outpost (BOP) also revealed that the May 14, 2010 incident did not arise impulsively.
"Faced with such a predicament and apparent refusal of the mob to disperse despite firing in the air, coupled with the fact that reinforcements would take considerable time, the 4th Assam Police Battalion had no option but to resort to effective firing," the affidavit of Assam government states.
MPHRC had filed the PIL for redressal of grievances of Langpih citizens, since no action had yet been taken against erring police personnel involved in the indiscriminate firing. Clearly refuting this, the Assam government official in the affidavit submitted, "In view of facts and circumstances, APB personnel cannot be charged with or face disciplinary proceedings."
Earlier the Assam government had instituted a one-man Commission of Inquiry headed by (Rtd.) Judge of Gauhati High Court Justice PC Phukan to probe the Langpih firing incident.
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