Tuesday, 07 February 2012 21:21 Nay Myo
The Assam Rifles were patrolling near border gate No. 2 when a group of four or five Khasi fled to the Namphalong Market gate on the Burmese side to avoid being checked, prompting the troops to open fire, sources said. It is not known why the troops opened fire. There were no reports of injuries.
A local shop owner told Mizzima: “The Indian force followed them and opened fire on them. Some shop owners in Namphalong Market had parked their cars there. Some Khasi people used the cars as shelter from the gunfire. The troops fired, and the cars were hit by bullets”
It’s estimated that the damage to the vehicles was about 3.8 million kyat (about US$ 4,800).
Burmese and Indian security forces are scheduled to discuss the incident.
At least eight Indian rebel groups conduct activities along the border area, according to local media.
The Khasi tribes of India are regarded as the earliest migrants from Burma. The are located in Assam, Khasi Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, according to the TribesofIndia website.
It is probably the only Indian tribe where females are given priority over the males. The property is passed from the mother to the youngest daughter. The traditional marriage culture is unique in that the groom has to live in the bride's home after marriage.
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