Shillong, July 24: The tranquil atmosphere of Shillong’s largest Shiva temple, Mahadev Khola Dham, was shattered on a serene Monday afternoon when a group of anti-social elements launched a violent attack on unsuspecting devotees. A shop owner and her son were attacked and robbed by miscreants at the temple.
The shocking incident occurred on the third Monday of the auspicious Sawan (monsoon) month, which drew a massive crowd of worshipers to the temple.
The incident took place when one person came to Mahadevkhola 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, SP Sylvester Nongtnger said in a statement.
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, he said. As per FIR filed by the shop owner, a group of 9 to 10 people attacked them and took away cash amounting to Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 and a mobile phone.
The police party from Jhalupara OP, on being informed, rushed to the spot immediately followed by senior police officials.
The mother and son sustained simple minor injuries and after medical examination were released after first aid.
Informing that a case is being registered at Lumdiengjri PS, the SP informed that the district police is making all efforts to nab the culprits.
Meanwhile, according to eyewitness accounts, the assailants also assaulted innocent devotees gathered to offer prayers and water to the deity. The miscreants not only snatched offerings from worshipers but also assaulted women devotees physically. They also claimed that the miscreants were wielding knives and chains, and stopped devotees from entering the temple premises.
The temple administration acted promptly, seeking police intervention immediately after the attack. Unfortunately, by the time the authorities arrived, the assailants had already fled the scene, leaving behind a sense of fear and bewilderment among the devotees. However, the temple’s surveillance cameras captured vital evidence, providing investigators with a lead to pursue the assailants. The main accused, identifiable by his black attire, was clearly captured on the CCTV footage.
Also, it was informed that this incident is not an isolated occurrence at the revered temple.
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