Shillong, Aug 21: A series of arson and petrol bomb incidents were reported across Meghalaya between Thursday night and early Friday morning, with police registering cases and launching investigations.
In West Jaintia Hills, a government Bolero (ML 01 6416) belonging to a Transport Department officer was set on fire by unidentified miscreants around 1:40am on Friday at Mookynphad Mihmyntdu village. Residents alerted the Fire and Emergency Service but the vehicle suffered severe damage to its front.
In Shillong, a motorbike parked at Malki was set ablaze in the early hours of Friday. The old National People’s Party (NPP) office at Lachumiere was targeted with a petrol bomb around 5am. Police said the device did not explode and no damage was reported. A forensic team collected evidence from the site.
In West Khasi Hills, two government vehicles parked in a secured area at Nongstoiñ were gutted on Thursday night. A Mahindra Marshal Max (ML 01 4130) at the Block Development Officer’s office and a Maruti Gypsy (ML 01 6963) at the Public Works Department (PWD) building were completely destroyed.
A petrol bomb was also hurled at a PWD office at Mawkhlam, Nongpyndeng, causing only minor damage to a skylight after a chowkidar doused the fire.
Assistant Commissioner of Mawshynrut civil sub-division, L Pohshna, also reported that the SDO office at Mawshynrut was hit with a petrol bomb on Thursday night. The incident was noticed on today morning, with damage limited to a window pane and chairs.
FIRs have been registered in all cases and investigations are underway to identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, Khyndailad saw heavy security on Friday. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force, Special Operations Team, state police, and CRPF have been deployed around the area.
