Meghalaya DSP alleges Assam Police didn't help him during mob attack

SHILLONG: Meghalaya cop, Firoz Rahman, who was injured in the mob attack at Assam-Meghalaya border alleged that Assam Police did not come to his rescue when he was being assaulted, sources said.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) termed it as a result of instigation by some of the personnel of Assam Police, according to sources.

Reportedly, a day after the locals had staged protest around a camp set up by the Assam Police in Umlaper , Rahman was posted at the Ri-Bhoi district and was dispatched by the district administration to oversee the situation.

Assam and Meghalaya have at least 12 border flashpoints, including Umlaper.

"Acting on an information that some trouble is brewing in the area, I and my team immediately left for that place. On reaching the disputed area, they (the mob) allowed us to enter but while coming back they blocked the road," said Rahman to media.

He further added that he expected the Assam Police to provide cover but they did not respond to the calls for help.

"They (Assam Police) were there but they did not respond to our calls for help. Local boys started assaulting us. The Nepalis and Karbi people came and started attacking me and my driver," he said.

"They started assaulting us and my driver was thrown into the nearby paddy field. I somehow managed to run away for safety. If I hadn't run away, they would've killed me!" he said.

"There was no provocation from our side. In fact, the same people talked nicely to us on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, they assaulted us. I think some Assam Police personnel may have provoked the crowd, since they didn't come when we sought their help," he said.

"What was the intention (of the Assam Police) of wearing bulletproof jackets if they were not apprehending some trouble?" he said.

"We tried to escape from the area but they (the mob) blocked our vehicle with some other vehicle. They hit me with a stone, and I got five-six stitches. My driver was also badly injured," the police officer said.

Rahman is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Shillong.

The Chief Ministers of both the states have reached to joint agreement to resolve the vexed border issue. Both the counterparts conducted meetings twice this year to discuss on the matter.