SHILLONG: The Mawlai Police Station in Shillong came under attack when two unidentified assailants launched a petrol bomb on a parked police vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday.
The incident, reportedly occurring around 2:00 am, saw the assailants arriving on a two-wheeler before swiftly executing the attack, leaving the vehicle in flames.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the attack.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter, aiming to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack.
Emerging reports hinted at a possible connection between the incident and recent tensions stemming from the arrest of two members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in connection with a double-murder case in Ichamati, East Khasi Hills, on March 27.
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The arrested individuals, identified as Shamborlang Shati and Mesadapbor Skhembil, both aged 26 and hailing from Sohra, were taken into custody following a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the families of the deceased, alleging the involvement of KSU members in the heinous act.
The arrests, which reportedly sparked unrest within the community, come against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ribok Diengdoh, KSU’s South Khasi Hills president, questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests and called for solidarity among union members and the local populace.
He also urged the members of the Union, family members of the arrested and the local people to come out in large numbers and seek clarification from the Sohra police.
Diengdoh’s call for solidarity was echoed by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong, who urged local and non-local NGOs to refrain from crossing legal boundaries in seeking justice.
On Tuesday, speaking to the local press, he said, “The message is very clear – be it to our local NGOs or non-tribal NGOs, I urge all of them, do not overstep the bounds. The law stands firm, and it will hold everyone accountable without exception.”
