Shillong violence: Meghalaya witnesses fresh arson, petrol bomb attacks; none injured

Previously 24 hours, fresh incidents of arson and petrol bomb attacks on administration properties occurred in Meghalaya.

Key points

• While another Bolero (ML 01 5359) was partially damaged, a Bolero (ML 01 4464) and a motorcycle were completely gutted.
• In South West Khasi Hills, miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb at the office of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer at Mawlangwir village, near Mawkyrwat, around 1 am.
• A blockade by Guwahati-based cab operators and transport workers at Jorabat and Khanapara near the Assam-Meghalaya border disrupted movement of Meghalaya-registered vehicles along National Highway-27.
• In Ri-Bhoi, miscreants set ablaze two administration vehicles and a motorcycle parked at the Water Resources Department premises in Saiden around 2 am.
• While Meghalaya taxis leaving Guwahati were allowed to proceed without passengers, on Friday, passengers were deboarded at Jorabat and continued their journey in Assam taxis.

While three administration vehicles and a motorcycle were set ablaze in Ri-Bhoi and another petrol bomb was lobbed at a administration office in South West Khasi Hills, a petrol bomb was hurled at a police outpost in Shillong.

Though the attacks have went on to tensions in the state after Wednesday's violence, in which at least 31 vehicles, mostly Assam-registered vehicles, were damaged, and a number of individuals assaulted, no injuries were documented in any of the incidents.

In practice, the Centre on Thursday approved the deployment of five firms of central forces — four of the CRPF and one of the RAF — in Meghalaya till August 25 to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.

Notably, the situation in Shillong remained largely peaceful, barring a sporadic incident at Nongmensong where a petrol bomb was hurled at the Nongmensong police outpost around 9.30 pm on Thursday. The bomb landed inside the premises and set a chair on fire.

CRPF personnel were present on the upper floor of the building at the time. No injuries were documented. Police remarked a case would be registered and CCTV footage from the area examined.

In South West Khasi Hills, miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb at the office of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer at Mawlangwir village, near Mawkyrwat, around 1 am. The device landed on the roof, but did not cause damage.

South West Khasi Hills SP B Jyrwa remarked neighbours heard the blast but did not see anyone at the spot. Police on Thursday registered 15 FIRs in connection with the violence in Shillong, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem remarked.

Meanwhile, a blockade by Guwahati-based cab operators and transport workers at Jorabat and Khanapara near the Assam-Meghalaya border disrupted movement of Meghalaya-registered vehicles along National Highway-27.

While Meghalaya taxis leaving Guwahati were allowed to proceed without passengers, on Friday, passengers were deboarded at Jorabat and continued their journey in Assam taxis. Ambulances and vehicles carrying essential services were exempted from the blockade.

Guwahati Police remarked agitators damaged a Meghalaya-registered taxi at Khanapara before the situation was brought under control.

Meanwhile, the vehicle of the Extra SP, West Garo Hills, was additionally halted by protesters but was afterwards allowed to proceed towards Shillong.

Assam drivers' associations and tourist cab operators have demanded an apology from Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the Tourism Minister, compensation for damaged vehicles and injured persons, and a written assurance on the safety of Assam-registered vehicles and drivers travelling in Meghalaya.

They cautioned that Meghalaya-registered vehicles would not be allowed into Assam until their demands were addressed.

Some social media voices in Assam additionally called on a boycott of Meghalaya as a weekend tourist destination for at least six months.

In a bid to defuse inter-state tensions, Chief Ministers Conrad K Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma agreed to work together to restore peace and normalcy after the recent violence and disruptions between the two states.

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora were subsequently designated to hold an inter-ministerial session and take forward discussions on easing the situation and ensuring smooth movement of residents and vehicles between the neighbouring states.

In practice, the two governments are projected to discuss measures to prevent further incidents, ensure the safety of commuters and transport operators and facilitate the uninterrupted movement of essential goods and services.

In practice, the Meghalaya administration has additionally appealed to citizens to maintain peace and avoid actions that could further aggravate tensions.

Police and security forces continued to maintain a heightened presence in sensitive areas of Shillong and other parts of the state as authorities worked to prevent further incidents of violence.

Taken together, the developments around shillong violence: Meghalaya witnesses fresh arson, petrol bomb attacks; none injured point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.