Reports of a gang of dacoits attacking vehicles along National Highway 62 have been doing the rounds on social media after photos of the windshield of a car that was attacked yesterday surfaced.
While no police complaint has been filed by the victims of the attack, the owner of the vehicle (whose identity is being withheld) informed that verbal information of the incident had been passed on to the Wageasi and Dainadubi police outposts.
According to reports, the incident took place near the village of Tamsura, between the districts of East and North Garo Hills. The exact area, however, is reportedly under Rongmil AD camp in East Garo Hills. The AD camp falls under Rongmil Police Station.
The area in question has had a history of such incidents taking place, with many local suspects being taken in for questioning. Apparently the attack on the vehicle came around half an hour after a police patrol had scanned the area.
According to the owner of the vehicle, they were returning from Williamnagar at about 6 pm when the group of dacoits tried to stop them to demand money. When they tried to escape from the attackers, the criminals threw stones at the car, damaging the windshield. The passengers of the vehicle, however, were unhurt.
“This happened at the extreme border between the two districts. People with torches shone them in our faces trying to stop the car but when I refused, they damaged the front of the car. There was no physical damage done to the people but my car has been badly damaged,” said the victim.
However, the lack of an official report by those that were affected has led to the hands of the police being tied. The car owner said that a formal FIR will be filed shortly.
The East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police could not be reached for comment on the incident. However, the North Garo Hills SP, Abraham T Sangma, explained that some criminal gangs were possibly taking advantage of the jurisdiction issue between the two districts.
“Patrolling is being taken up on the highway on a regular basis. However, better coordination can possibly help improve the situation and ensure such incidents stop,” said Abraham, adding that a meeting on the issue between the districts will be taken up soon.
