Shillong, Nov 22: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday demanded the state government to initiate an NIA probe into the firing incident which killed five persons at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District.

Terming the action of Assam as ‘barbaric’, UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh said, “We strongly condemn and urge the government, especially the chief minister to take a very strong action and initiate the NIA investigation on this incident.”

He said the party will also wait for the updated details on the incident in order to take a final decision on the matter.

After chairing the meeting of the State Election Committee (SEC), Lyngdoh said in view of the unfortunate incident, the party has also decided to postpone the official announcement of the first list of candidates for the 2023 Assembly polls.
“As a party, we decided that it will be appropriate for us to postpone this announcement… Please bear with us as we would like to join hands with the family members of those who have lost their lives in this incident this morning,” he said.

He informed that five persons have been lost from Meghalaya side and one from Assam during the firing incident. He said the party will further take a decision on the incident after Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui will meet all senior leaders of the party.

Meanwhile, a two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.