Two killed in Meghalaya police firing

A man and a woman were killed while five people were injured Wednesday when police opened fire to disperse a mob that attempted to attack a police station in Meghalaya, an official said.

The incident occurred in Mookhep area in East Jaintia Hills.

The mob attempted to attack the police station after a boy was picked up by police for allegedly pelting stones at vehicles on the national highway 44 during the indefinite economic blockade sponsored by the Movement of Indigenous People Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL).

The blockade, which began Tuesday, was to protest the National Green Tribunal ban on rat-hole mining in the state.

"Two people, including a woman, died on the spot and five sustained bullet injuries when police fired at an unruly mob armed with lethal weapons," Inspector General of Police in charge of operations G.H.P. Raju told IANS.

"Police fired when some people from the mob fired at police personnel. Police resorted to baton-charge to disperse the mob, but the mob was unmoved and instead attempted to attack the police station," he said.

Raju said a probe was on, and more police personnel have been rushed to the area to douse the situation.

The MIPRL condemned the incident.