SHILLONG, March 1 – One more person was killed and others injured in the violence-hit Khasi Hills, taking the death toll to three in the past three days. One Uphas Uddin of Pyrkan village under Shella in East Khasi Hills district was “stabbed and cut by unknown persons” in his sleep, police said, adding, he was rushed to Ichamati CHC, but was declared brought dead.
Police said “three persons entered the house” of the victim and attacked him while he was asleep. But the police was quick to add that the attack could be due to personal or business rivalry. Further investigation is on.
In another incident, one Aditya Kumar from Upper Mawprem was stabbed this morning. He was rushed to a hospital here.
Another person – Rajua Karim from Phulbari in West Garo Hills district was grievously attacked by unidentified persons at Mawthabah, Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills district. The injured has been shifted to the NEIGRIHMS hospital here.
Karim has been working for the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency and currently residing at Sawlad, Madanrting in the state capital for the past six years.
The police further informed that “some non-tribal carpenters”, who were staying at Umtrew in Ri-Bhoi district, managed to escape from their homes into the forest after they saw “some local boys” approaching in two buses. They have now returned to the safety of their homes, the police said.
In a case of arson, miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at the residential compound of one Lakshmi Bareh at Pynthorbah Block 4 here. “Fortunately, no one was injured or any property damaged in the incident,” the police said.
Miscreants also pelted stones on vehicles on the national highway in the Puriang area this evening.
On the other hand, the police department was able to “safely ferry” 43 stranded tourists from different parts of Shillong to Guwahati. “Numerous calls have been received in the designated toll free number 18003453846 of the police department,” a senior police official said.
In an advisory, the police department has asked the general public not to park their vehicles on the roadside as these may be vulnerable to acts of vandalism or arson. It further asked the citizens to alert the police of any suspicious movement of people.
The police department has appealed to the citizens, particularly of East Khasi Hills, besides social and religious organisations to unite and fight against rumourmongers and hatemongers.
Meanwhile, due to the fluid law and order situation, the East Khasi Hills district administration has changed curfew timings. The indefinite curfew, which was imposed from 12 noon on Saturday in the state capital, was relaxed this morning. However, parts of the state capital are still under curfew.
The areas under curfew are the whole of municipal area, cantonment area, all areas under Mawlai and Mawpat blocks including census towns, areas under Mylliem block from Umshyrpi bridge up to 7 Mile of Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun, Mawdiangdiang, Diengiong and Siejiong.
The mobile internet services have not been restored and remain suspended in six districts of Meghalaya.
WITH INPUTS FROM AT
