SHILLONG, NOV 5: A truce on Village Administration Bills (VAB) reached between the traditional heads and the state government was marred when an angry mob protested by pelting stones and breaking the police barricade injuring at least ten police personnel which were mostly women.
Police were forced to resort to tear gas at the mob to bring semblance of order.
A section of the crowd went berserk just minutes after Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) leaders informed the crowd that they have given the state government a
month’s time for overseeing that the VAB bills is passed by the Governor during the meeting with the state government on Thursday.
Obviously, a section of the crowd did not like the decision as they were expecting that the SNSBH leaders would put pressure on the state government and come up with an outcome that would satisfy them. As the announcement was made some of the members of the crowd reacted violently.
Security personnel acted swiftly and resorted to tear-gas in the air and mild lathi charge to disperse the peaceful crowd that turned violent from the Barik junction in front of the Shillong Civil Hospital.
The moment the SNSBH president Dr Werlock Kharshiing and general secretary RL Blah announced that they had decided to give a one-month deadline to the state government for passing of the village administration bills (VABs), the crowd shouted in rejection and reacted violently.
According to SNSBH leaders, the decision was taken as the VAB passed by the KHADC is pending with the centre and an assurance given by the chief minister to aggressively pursue the issue.
When the crowd reacted violently, SNSBH leaders moved away and appealed to the people to reassemble again at the Laban Sports Club ground, from where the protest march started early Thursday morning.
Stones missiles were hurled at the security personnel barricading the area to prevent the crowd from attempting to march towards the main secretariat, following imposition of section 144 CrPC.
Some of the agitating crowd also destroyed a No-Entry Board kept in the junction and also roughed up two wheelers drivers parked near the place.
“Over ten security personnel were injured after they were hit by the stones pelted by the mob,” East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang informed. He said the injured personnel were mostly women and they have been sent for first aid and tetanus, of which the medical reports are still awaited.
Some of the people attending the rally were also injured when police resorted to lathi charge but doctors at the civil hospital informed that all have sustained minor injuries. A woman carrying her child was found crying as she was hit by a lathi when the incident took place.
The front wind shield of a night super bus of the Assam Transport Corporation carrying passengers was also damaged when protestors pelted stones on it as it was passing through Rhino area.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Operations) GHP Raju informed that 8-10 members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), who were allegedly in an intoxicated state, have been identified as the main trouble makers
According to him, they have been identified by police intelligence through a video footage taken during the incident. He said, “We will be filing FIRs against them and would place the evidence captured before the court, who may issue the arrest warrant.”
When asked, Raju however said, “The organizers are not responsible for the incident since they themselves were also shocked. We suspect that the incident was a pre-decided move to create trouble.”
Meanwhile, additional forces have been deployed in Polo, Police Bazaar, Nongmensong and Naspatigari in apprehension of troubles, Raju informed.- By Our Reporter
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