SHILLONG : Meghalaya Police have sought central paramilitary forces following four petrol bomb incidents in Shillong within 48 hours, as security has been intensified and investigations continue to identify and arrest those responsible.
The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when unidentified miscreants allegedly hurled a petrol bomb at the office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at Shyiap, Shillong. The bomb landed on the steps leading to the office, causing damage to window panes. No injuries were reported.
The attack was the fourth petrol bomb incident reported in the city over two days, following similar incidents at Kench’s Trace, Keating Road and Laitumkhrah. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incidents.
Addressing concerns over the repeated attacks despite intensified security measures, Superintendent of Police (City) Dangsan Khyriem said the police had requested central paramilitary forces to strengthen security in Shillong and its outskirts.
“Despite our nakas and mobile and foot patrolling being conducted on a daily basis in all areas under Shillong city and on the outskirts of Shillong city, there was a petrol bomb attack yesterday in Langkyrding as well, but there was no damage,” Khyriem said on Thursday.
He said the police would continue and intensify their security measures while awaiting the arrival of additional forces.
“So in spite of that we will continue with our nakas, we will increase our nakas and we have also requisitioned central paramilitary forces from today onwards, so most probably we will be getting them in a few days’ time,” he said.
Khyriem added that the police remained committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order in the state capital.
“But despite that we want to ensure and make sure that public is safe and law and order is stable and that we continue with our nakas,” he said.
The SP (City) said police were actively pursuing those responsible for the petrol bomb attacks.
“We are on the hunt for the miscreants who are behind all these petrol bombs,” he said.
Asked how many companies of central forces had been requested, Khyriem said the requisition process was underway and the number of companies to be deployed would depend on the response.
“We are writing today and we will see how many we will get,” he said.
On the possible motive behind the incidents, the police officer said investigators had not established any specific angle so far.
“We have not identified any angle yet but this is mainly the work of some miscreants who are trying to take law and order into their own hands and create a law and order situation in the city,” Khyriem said.
He added that police were scrutinising available CCTV footage, clues and other evidence in an effort to identify the perpetrators and make a breakthrough in the cases.
The repeated attacks have prompted the police to step up preventive measures across Shillong, with additional central forces expected to support the ongoing security operations in the coming days.