Assam-Meghalaya border clash kills 6

At least six people, including a forest guard, were killed in violence as the border dispute between northeastern Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya flared up today in West Karbi Anglong district after a truck transporting illegal timber was intercepted, officials said.

The six deceased included five people from Meghalaya and one from Assam, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was quoted by ANI as saying. The Assamese man killed in the clash was a forest guard.

Following the incident, the Assam police issued an alert in all the districts bordering Meghalaya to thwart any possible disruption in the law and order situation while authorities in Meghalaya suspended internet service in seven districts, an official said.

According to Assam's West Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Imdad Ali, the Assam forest department team intercepted a truck with illegal timber at Mukru carrying timber towards West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya around 3: 00 am.

As the truck tried to flee, the forest guards opened fire at it deflating a tire. Three people including the vehicle's driver were arrested. Others managed to escape, he told PTI.

Police reinforcements were rushed to the spot when the forest guards contacted the nearby Zirikending Police Station.

Assam and Meghalaya formed three panels each in August last year to resolve the border dispute. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Conrad Sangma submitted a draft resolution to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on January 31 this year for the Indian home ministry's consideration after two rounds of talks between the states.

The dispute dates back to 1972 when Meghalaya was carved out of Assam. Assam also has border disputes with Mizoram, another northeastern Indian state.

Five Assam policemen were killed in a gun battle with their counterparts from Mizoram over a border dispute in 2021.