North Garo Hills police arrested two people today on suspicion of being involved in an attack on the police’s operations group centre (OGC) in Tapadarenchi yesterday, an incident that led to the destruction of government property.
The incident took place yesterday evening when hundreds of villagers from the area around the OGC surrounded the outpost to get their hands on a suspected dacoit-kidnapper.
According to reports, police were informed that one person was being assaulted by residents of Tapa Bazaar on suspicion of being involved in kidnapping and dacoity cases. Police personnel then proceeded to the area and rescued the man from the mob’s clutches.
Having suffered extensive injuries, the assaulted person was then taken to the Resubelpara Community Health Centre where he was treated for his injuries.
In the meantime, rumours of the alleged dacoit-kidnapper began to float around the area, leading to hundreds of villagers gathering in front of the OGC.
The mob demanded that the suspected person be handed over to them and, when police refused, the agitated mob started breaking the fence and destroyed property of the Tapadarengchi OGC compound.
To prevent further damage to government properties and to disperse the unruly mob, the police team fired blank shots, forcing the mob to disperse.
Immediately after the incident, additional forces were rushed to the spot along with SF-10 commandos. While the situation is currently under control, it is being closely monitored.
The Superintendent of Police, Abraham T. Sangma, paid a visit to the area this morning to take stock of the situation.
“Two cases have been registered and we are taking this destruction of government property seriously. Two people have also been arrested in the cases. The case of assault and destruction of property are being simultaneously investigated,” said the SP.
Meanwhile, district police have appealed to all to keep calm and not fall prey to rumours so that such incidents can be avoided.
