Wearing of ‘black uniforms’ snowballed into violence in the city today as a scuffle took place between members of the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) and police.
The fight ensued near the Deputy Commissioner office after HITO members tried to forcefully march towards the Main Secretariat after returning from the Shillong Sadar Police Station where their president, Donbok Dkhar was summoned for wearing black uniform which is violation of Section 171 of CrPC.
Police resorted to baton-charge and stun grenades when the HITO members started pelting stones at the police while trying to force their way to the Secretariat.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger said a magistrate and three police personnel were assaulted by HITO members and sustained injuries.
“In order to control the unruly mob, police used stun grenades and mild lathi charge to disperse the unlawful assembly and in the process the pressure group pelted stones at the police resulting in head injury to a Deputy Superintendent of Police,” he said.
Nongtnger said Dkhar was summoned in connection with Sadar Police Station Case No. 169/2023 under Sections 171 and 34 of IPC read with Section 105 of Meghalaya Police Act.
He said around 40-50 of HITO members led by Dkhar and other leaders, had assembled at SMB Parking Lot opposite the State Bank of India, Main Branch without prior permission from district administration displaying flags and placards.
Nongtnger said that the members did not oblige to the instruction that only the HITO president can proceed to the police station for recording his statement and all of them marched on foot to Sadar Police Station through Police Bazar.
“After recording the statement, the crowd was persuaded and instructed to disperse peacefully. However, on the return of the HITO president from Sadar Police Station, the HITO members led by Dkhar who were gathering outside the main gate of the police station forcefully attempted to march towards the main secretariat to dump their placards as instructed by him,” he said.
On reaching Kachari Point, Nongtnger said, the HITO members were stopped as no prior permission was given by the district administration and also since the procession was in violation of Section 144 CrPC already in place.
“Thereupon, HITO members turned violent and forcefully pushed the human barricade, officers and men on duty,” he added.
He also informed that ten HITO members were arrested and a case has been registered in connection with the violence.
