Meghalaya witnesses fresh tension as traffic booth set afire, cops attacked
Shillong (Meghalaya), November 24: Tensions rose in Meghalaya's capital Shillong on Thursday evening after miscreants set fire to a traffic booth and attacked three police vehicles, including a city bus.
The incident occurred on November 22 during a candlelight vigil organised by some groups to protest the violence on the Assam-Meghalaya border. Six people were killed in a shooting incident in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district, including five Meghalaya residents and an Assam Forest Guard member. According to reports, protesters hurled stones and petrol bombs at police officers who were on the scene to defuse tensions.
As per reports, security personnel were forced to use tear gas shells to disperse the protesters and restore order.
The incident damaged three police vehicles, including a city bus and a gypsy, according to S. Nongtnger, SP of East Khasi Hills, Shillong.
"The miscreants set fire to a city traffic booth and threw petrol bombs at police officers," the SP said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the governments of Assam and Meghalaya demanded that the incident be investigated by a central agency.
Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, has said that the firing incident should be investigated by a central agency.
"I have also discussed the incident with the Assam chief minister." We demand that the matter be investigated by a central agency. The incident should be investigated by the NIA or the CBI. The Assam government agreed to this and stated that they will cooperate with the investigation if one is ordered." The miscreants torched a traffic booth in the city and hurled petrol bombs at police personnel," the SP said.
Earlier, on Wednesday, both Assam and Meghalaya governments demanded a probe by a central agency into the incident.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said a central agency should investigate the firing incident.
"I have also held discussions with the Assam chief minister about the incident. We demand that a central agency investigate the matter. The NIA or CBI should inquire into the incident. The Assam government also agreed to this and said they will cooperate with the probe, should it be ordered by the central government," Sangma said.
Assam minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, too, said on Wednesday, "The Assam government has requested the central government for a CBI probe into the firing incident in the Mukroh area, along the Assam-Meghalaya border."
- ANI
