A total of 15 trucks were reduced to ashes and 25 were damaged by an angry mob of about 300 individuals in a violent outbreak that occurred in Lumshnong on Sunday, police said today.
The incident was sparked when a pick-up truck driver was reportedly run over by a truck owned by the Star Cement Company inside the premises.
According to East Jaintia Hills police, earlier in the evening the truck and the pickup truck were involved in an accident in Wahiajer along the NH 6 that killed a local youth.
“The Star Cement truck driven by a local, reportedly, fled the scene after the collision. The pick-up truck, along with others pursued the cement truck up to the Star Cement premises,” police in an official statement said.
“Upon, arrival, the pick-up driver who is also a local, climbed onto the Star Cement truck and assaulted the driver and in an attempt to flee or drive forward, the cement truck ran over the Pick-up driver, who died on the spot,” the statement added.
Following the incident, approximately 300 individuals armed with daos and other weapons from nearby locality, gathered at the Star Cement compound and started destroying the sentry post, CCTV equipment, and attacking the security guard, police said
The agitated crowd also blocked the removal of the deceased’s body, which was later managed and sent to Civil Hospital, Khliehriat.
Police said the crowd set fire to 14–15 trucks parked within the company premises. “When the fire tender arrived to control the blaze, the mob turned on the emergency vehicle and attacked the fire brigade personnel as well, attempting to damage the fire tender,” the statement reads.
Police personnel tried to contain the situation but were also assaulted by the mob. The situation was eventually brought under control after the rapid deployment of additional security forces.
Police said security at the Star Cement premises has since been strengthened and senior officers are closely monitoring the area to prevent any further escalation
A case has been registered and investigation is on. Till filing of this report, nobody has been arrested.
