SHILLONG, June 1 - At least five vehicles have been torched and several cases of arson have been reported from different parts of the Meghalaya Capital Shillong and its outskirts.
East Khasi Hills SP, Davis Marak said, the five vehicles have all been torched last night and reports of arson have been pouring in from different parts of the State Capital and the outskirts. �There are reports of petrol bomb attacks from different parts of the State Capital,� he said.
Several tourists who have been stranded by the sudden change of events would be provided escort to move out of the State Capital. �Yesterday, we provided an escort for some buses to move out of Shillong and similar escort would be provided for the tourists to move out,� the SP said.
Meanwhile, the police have detained one of the accused who assaulted three SPTS bus handymen. Further investigation is going on into the case.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar and SP held a meeting with some NGOs here this evening. The NGOs demanded that those involved in the assault of the handymen be arrested and also sought that the Sweepers� Colony be shifted from its present location.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today held an emergency Cabinet meeting to review security in the State capital, after violence erupted in several parts of the city following an altercation between residents of Sweepers� Colony and some State Public Transport System (SPTS) bus drivers and handymen.
The situation is tense, but under control at this moment. However, schools, colleges and office remained virtually shut in the State Capital. Some of the busy commercial areas remained shut and roads remained empty.
Trouble started yesterday at about 9. 30 am when some drivers and conductors were assaulted by residents of Sweepers� Colony over an alleged eve-teasing incident. In the incident three handymen were assaulted.
The violence began when in the evening several SPTS bus drivers and others again went to the Sweepers� Colony. The situation flared up after there were �fake news� floating on the social media that the one of the handyman of the bus was killed in the incident.
Hundreds of people gathered around Motphran and the adjoining area and pelted stones at the security forces. More police force was called in and the mob was tear-gased and lathi-charged. But the stone pelting incident continued till late this morning.
Several persons were injured, but the exact number could not be ascertained till the filing of this report. The police has also arrested several people involved in stone-pelting.
The district administration has disconnected Internet service from 1.30 pm today and curfew has been imposed from 4 am this morning. Some of the affected areas where curfew was imposed include Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Mawprem, Wahingdoh, Umsohsun, Raitsamthiah, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapatty, Wahthapbru and other locations.
