Shillong, Jun 18: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the police portfolio, today maintained that law and order in the city and state is under control even after a spate of arson incidents and the recent deaths of two individuals of the Hajong community.
Speaking to reporters today, Tynsong said that criminal activities can occur despite the presence of law enforcement personnel.
“Maintaining law and order is a 24/7 job, policing is a 24/7 job. You cannot expect that criminal activities will not happen even when police personnel are nearby. Sometimes such incidents take place and you cannot help it, but whatever illegal or criminal activities are committed, the police are on the job to ensure that the culprits are identified and booked,” he said.
His remarks come in the wake of a series of suspected arson attacks reported in Shillong earlier this month, when three government vehicles and a tourist taxi were set ablaze at different locations across the city. The incidents occurred within a short span of time between 3 and 4am. Police launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine whether the attacks were coordinated.
The vehicles targeted included those belonging to the Meghalaya Police, the Health Department and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), besides a tourist taxi. The incidents were reported from Kench’s Trace, Lumdiengjri and Mawlai Phudmuri areas of Shillong.
“The police force are on the job to trace out and find out what happened and who committed those illegal activities,” Tynsong said.
Police have so far not disclosed any motive behind the incidents, and investigations are continuing. Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to identify those involved and bring them to justice.
Meanwhile, Tynsong said the police are actively investigating the deaths of two individuals following demands by members of the Hajong community for a thorough probe into the incident.
A man and a woman, both in their early 20s apparently died by hanging on Sunday morning in Shillong. Preliminary findings point to suicide, though the Hajong community, of which both belonged, said the deaths were suspicious. Police are still awaiting the autopsy reports.
Responding to questions from reporters regarding allegations of possible foul play, Tynsong refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
