Shillong, Sep 17: East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal has directed police to intensify night patrolling across the city after four back-to-back petrol bomb attacks targeting government and police establishments in less than 24 hours.
Baranwal said the administration reviewed the law and order situation with the Superintendent of Police and issued instructions to strengthen security, adding that police have been asked to seek additional forces if required.
Sector magistrates have been directed to maintain close coordination with community leaders to ensure suspicious activities are reported promptly and forces can be mobilised immediately.
All departments and district officers have also been instructed to maintain highest vigilance through chowkidars and CCTV surveillance, keep office gates closed, and park government vehicles, which have been among the key targets, in safe and secure locations.
The directions follow a string of attacks reported from Wednesday evening to early Thursday.
The Directorate of Mineral Resources office at Risa Colony was targeted on Wednesday evening when two petrol bombs were hurled at the premises, with one striking a private vehicle belonging to a DMR employee and causing partial damage.
Later that night, a petrol bomb was hurled at Lumdiengjri Police Station, striking the rear of the Officer-in-Charge’s room and causing minor damage to the window.
In the early hours of Thursday, a vehicle parked inside the Directorate of Health Services complex at Laitumkhrah caught fire after a suspected petrol bomb attack around 3:15 am, prompting fire tenders to be rushed in. Around the same time, a police booth on the road towards the BSF headquarters at Nongmensong area was set on fire by unidentified miscreants.
No casualties were reported in any of the four incidents.
These latest attacks follow the September 12 petrol bomb attack on Laban Police Station, when two bombs were hurled at around 2:30 am and two personnel had a narrow escape after the Gypsy they were in was struck.
Police said investigations into all incidents are underway and CCTV footage is being examined to identify those responsible. The motive behind the coordinated attacks is yet to be established, while security has been tightened around government and police establishments across the city.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge Home Prestone Tynsong has warned culprits to stop. “The law will follow them, and justice has to be done,” he said.
Tynsong ruled out calling back the Rapid Action Force for now, saying the state police force “is good enough to handle the situation.”
