Shillong, July 14: A commotion by 50-60 people at Nongmynsong locality on Tuesday night has suddenly caught the Shillong city with fears of communal tension. The situation was made worse by the mob pelting stones that resulted in damage to several vehicles and injury to three security personnel.

Although police acted swiftly to contain the situation, people in the locality are stricken by fear as to what will happen next due to the element of tribal and non-tribal conflict.

Although the details are sketchy, according to one eye witness, Rebecca Gurung, two drunken men were creating ruckus in the locality. On being intimated, the police rushed to the locality and lathi charged the duo. They were then taken to the Nongmynsong police out post.

Soon after, a mob of 50-60 people gathered and started a commotion in front of the Nongmynsong police out post.

Police version

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, S. Nongtnger said the police was notified of an incident at around 11 PM on Tuesday night about an allegation of assault by some non-tribals at Nongmensong, Shillong.

A police team rushed to the area and found two persons in the area in an inebriated condition, who were subsequently taken to the thana for medical examination. Later, a crowd gathered at Nongmensong Out Post and started assaulting one of the two persons picked up and abused the police personnel and CRPF personnel on duty at the Out Post.

“The crowd pelted stones in which two police vehicles, three private four-wheeler vehicles, three two-wheelers were damaged and three CRPF personnel were injured,” he said.

He said a case has been registered and investigation is going on to ascertain more facts as well as to ascertain the veracity of the allegation of assault which sparked the incident.

He also advised the general public to keep away from spreading false information about the incident.

No communal tension, action against rumour mongering

Meanwhile, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the incident should not be given the colour of communal tension and warned of strict action against those spreading rumours.

He was particularly concerned about the spread of misinformation through social media.

He said people should wait for official notification on the incident before deciding its nature.

He also told the police to act swiftly in cases that have a tendency to spiral out of hand.

“Police should act swiftly so that people don’t get an opportunity to create their own narrative for their own advantage and create a minor situation into a major one,” said Rymbui.

He added that the situation has been brought under control with the help of police, residents and the local headmen.

On the injured security personnel, he said the CRPF personnel are currently admitted at Shillong Civil Hospital.