HAFLONG, June 4 – Perhaps in retaliation of burning of two houses belonging to Dimasa people at Mahur yesterday, miscreants killed five persons and critically injured one child and also burnt down at least 54 houses of Boro-Chenam and Kampai village under Haflong Police Station inhabited by Jeme people at about 4.30 am today. It is learnt that today early in the morning, a group of gun-totting miscreants entered the Boro-Chenam and Kampai village and fired indiscriminately killing five persons and injured one child. They also set fire to 54 houses out of 56 in these villages. Rest of the villagers fled to the nearby jungles to save their lives.
Personnel of the Assam Riffle and Assam Police rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.
The deceased have been identified as Kriyaile Newme (60), Rangkuatuile Newme (28), Pehiahumgle Newme (11), Ihungbamle Newme (8) and Paudeihungbe Riame (16). The child who was injured is Kilungyibe Newme (4).
Security in the hill district has been intensified in view of the volatile situation. Army, paramilitary and police personnel have fanned out to the troubled spots to prevent outbreak of group clashes and attacks. Senior civil and security officials today reviewed the security measures in the district.