Search on to nab killers of migrant miners in Meghalaya

Police and paramilitary forces Monday launched a massive operation in western Meghalaya after eight migrant coal miners were killed by unidentified assailants late Sunday night.

A group of unidentified armed men went on a rampage, attacking migrant coal miners. Eight miners were killed and three others were wounded at Garegittim and Nongalbibra areas in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district.

The deceased were identified as Babu Ali, Jirhul Islam, Harjit Ali, Fazir Ali, Modon Ali, Moinal Haque Ismail Ali and Shah Jahan Ali. The injured miners have been identified as Zakir Ali, Mojial Ali and Ahidur Ali.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the killings.

"All the eight miners were attacked by sharp weapons. We are yet to verify the identities of the attackers and an investigation is on," Davies R. Marak, district police chief of South Garo Hills, told IANS.

Security forces have launched an operation to nab the killers.

The attack on the coal miners came after a mob turned violent while protesting an alleged bid to molest a mentally-challenged girl Friday night at Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.

A migrant labourer from Assam was killed and three vehicles were set ablaze by the mob, forcing authorities to clamp curfew in the entire district.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who chaired the State Security Commission meeting, has condemned both the incidents.

"The incident is very unfortunate and such acts of violence should be condemned," Sangma told journalists.

He added: "The government is keeping a close watch on the law and order situation and necessary steps have been taken to contain such instances to ensure that normalcy is restored."

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary W.M.S. Pariat said the security situation in some parts of the Garo Hills region was a matter of concern.

"We are keeping a close watch on the situation in Garo Hills and adequate security forces have been put in place to maintain the law and order situation," Pariat said.

Moreover, he said the state government has sought three to four companies of paramilitary forces to be deployed in Garo Hills.

Meghalaya, especially the Garo Hills, the most backward region, is used as a safe haven by various northeast-based rebel groups.