Shillong, July 25: At least three persons were arrested and two juveniles were apprehended for their involvement in assaulting and robbing a shopkeeper and her son at Mahadev Khola on Monday.

Informing this here on Tuesday, East Khasi Hills SP, Sylvester Nongtnger, said the culprits involved in the incident have been identified with the help of CCTV footage.

“We have arrested three persons and apprehended two juveniles. Interrogation will be done properly against the three boys and action will be taken as per law. They will be soon produced before the court and of course the two juveniles will be dealt with as per Juvenile Justice Act,” he said.

He informed that a case has been registered with the Lumdiengjri police station after a complaint was filed by the victims.

The SP said the incident took place when one person came to Mahadev Khola and asked for an Amul Kool drink from one of the shops there. He, however, told the shop owner that he would pay her later. On being refused, he threw a coconut at her. When her 21-year-old son intervened, a scuffle took place. Half an hour later, he came back with four others and attacked the woman and her son, stole money from the shop and ran away.

Meanwhile, SP (City), Vivek Syiem, said there was an attempt in the social media to give communal colour to Monday’s incident since it took place at a temple premises. He maintained that the incident has got nothing to do with religious affiliation.

“It was an assault arising out of the altercation that they had and had nothing to do with any religious hostility or animosity with the temple,” he repeated.

The SP (City) further added, “We have asked for further five days police custody (of the accused) to ascertain all the facts of the matter so that we can come to a proper conclusion of the case.”

When asked, Syiem said they are yet to ascertain whether the boys are members of any NGO groups. “As of now, nothing to that effect has been ascertained but we will investigate all aspects of the matter,” he added.

Also read: Assam: Man surrenders after killing three persons in Golaghat, public stage huge protest

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