SHILLONG: Shillong’s Police Bazaar, the commercial hub of the city, witnessed tension and disruptions on the Monday afternoon as police resorted to tear gas firing to disperse members of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) who had turned unruly during a protest.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger, confirmed to a local daily that several HITO members had been arrested in connection with the incident. He also acknowledged that some police personnel sustained minor injuries during the protest.
Earlier the police had summoned some HITO members alleging that their black uniforms posed a violation of Section 171 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 105 of the Meghalaya Police Act. The black uniforms were deemed similar to those worn by the police Special Operations Team (SOT).
In the afternoon, a considerable gathering of the organisation’s members had converged near the State Bank of India (SBI) branch to demonstrate against police summons issued to their organisation. The protest initially began with slogans but soon escalated, eventually disrupting traffic in the area. In response, the police took action, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Prior to tear gas firing, protesters had pelted stones and bottles at the police, resulting in minor injuries to two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).
Following the summons, HITO members had been called to the Sadar Police Station, but tensions flared as they attempted to march forcefully towards the Main Secretariat near the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Magistrates on-site attempting to calm the situation were reportedly manhandled by the protesters.
Additionally, HITO members had also reportedly instructed shops along Khyndailad to shut down during their procession from the SBI Main Branch to the Sadar police station and vice versa. The protesters were seen shouting slogans condemning the police, raising questions about the handling of the situation.
