Shootout at Assam-Meghalaya border, 4 dead including forest guard

At least 4 people including a forest guard were killed in a firing incident on November 22 morning in Moikrang in the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam along the Assam-Meghalaya border.

As per reports, the incident took place when the forest department team tried to intercept a smuggled timber-laden truck at around 3 am on November 22.

The truck did not stop and ran away leading to a hot chase. However, the forest guard somehow managed to stop the truck by puncturing one of its tyres and apprehending three people, and later brought them to Jirikinding.

The police team reached the spot upon receiving inputs on the seizure and brought the smuggled vehicle to the police station.

On reaching the location, the police team was attacked by a huge crowd armed with sharp weapons and sticks following which the police had to resort to firing to save their lives which resulted in the deaths of 3 people. 

The dead forest guard has been identified as Bidya Singh Lehte while another forest guard, Abhimanyu was injured in the incident. 

Meanwhile, the area continues to remain volatile as West Karbi Anglong SP Imdad Ali has reached the spot along with his team to investigate the incident.