Picture : ANI/X
Incidents of arson and petrol bomb attacks on government properties were reported across Meghalaya, as tensions prevailed following violence during the Khasi Students’ Union black-flag bike rally two days ago.
An office that housed the National People’s Party previously at Lachumiere was targeted with a petrol bomb around 5 am, but it did not explode, police said.
A police and forensic team reached the spot, collected evidence and registered a case, they said. In West Khasi Hills, two government vehicles were gutted after miscreants set them ablaze at Nongstoin on Thursday night.
Petrol bombs were also hurled at the offices of the Superintending Engineer, PWD, at Mawkhlam, Nongpyndeng, and the SDO, Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division and minor damages were reported.
In Shillong, a petrol bomb was hurled at the Nongmensong police outpost around 9.30 pm on Thursday. It landed inside the premises and set a chair on fire. No injuries were reported.
In Ri-Bhoi, two government vehicles and a motorcycle were set ablaze at the Water Resources Department premises in Saiden around 2 am. Two vehicles and the motorcycle were gutted, while another government vehicle was partially damaged.
In South West Khasi Hills, a petrol bomb was lobbed at the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer’s office at Mawlangwir around 1 am. The device landed on the roof but did not cause damage.
The Centre has approved the deployment of five companies of central forces — four Central Reserve Police Force and one Rapid Action Force — in the state till August 25 to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
Police have so far registered 15 FIRs in connection with Wednesday’s violence in Shillong, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said.
Meanwhile, the Byrnihat-Jorabat road was blocked from both sides on Friday amid the Assam-Meghalaya taxi standoff, prompting the Ri-Bhoi district administration to advise commuters to avoid the route until further notice.
