Cops on the lookout for bomb attackers

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAY 29: Police are on the job to identify the perpetrators behind the recent petrol bomb attacks in the city, following the May 27- violent protest against the ongoing construction of a railway project in Ri Bhoi district.

While additional forces have been called to ensure law and order situation is under control, confident building measures by holding peace meetings are also on besides instruction to all petrol pumps not to sell loose petrol.

“We are yet to establish the identities of the perpetrators. However we have got some inputs and we are on the lookout for those who are behind the incidents and in due course we will be arresting them,” East Khasi Hills District police chief Davis NR Marak told reporters.

Two vehicles including a government vehicle were burnt in Mahari petrol pump and Nongmynsong area and petrol bomb attacks at the Rynjah police station, office of the Superintendent Training for Self Employment of Women, Laban.

When asked, Marak said police are suspecting that these perpetrators could be some supporters of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), who were part of the incident in Byrnihat.

Informing that there are also talks with the KSU leadership, he said, “They (KSU) have clarified that they had sent a team to Byrnihat for making an inquiry and had not gone there with an intention to create any problems.”

At least two KSU leaders have been arrested in connection with the incident at Byrnihat.

On the other hand, the SP however said that they cannot link them (incidents) with the KSU as possibility is also there that some other anti-social elements are taking advantage of the situation to create this problem.

Citing the case of a vehicle being burnt in Nongmynsong area, he said, “We suspect it is a case by some miscreants. The vehicle belonged to a local person from Shillong and it was not targeted but it is just a random act of violence.”

In order to contain the situation, the SP informed Naga checking and patrolling in the city have been intensified and additional forces from other districts have been called which have arrived in Shillong.

“Two platoons of additional forces have been deployed in the state capital and we have requested the CRPF to put their quick reaction team (QRT) on stand by in case of emergency, we can utilize them,” he said.

He also added, all police stations have been instructed to call for peace meetings with local leaders so that these anti-social elements are not given an opportunity to make more serious troubles.

“We also want to ensure that all vital installations of the government are protected,” Marak said while informing that the situation by and large is under control.

Meanwhile, the SP also informed that all petrol pump owners are also instructed not to sell loose petrol.