Khasi-Punjabi clashes: Almost 500 people in Army shelter as Shillong stays on boil; curfew imposed, internet services still disrupted
Several parts of Shillong stayed under curfew for another second consecutive night and third straight day on Saturday and the internet services remain disrupted till Sunday afternoon to prevent the spread of rumours that may trigger clashes within the city, reported PTI. The Army rescued around 500 people on Saturday during a flag march held in disturbed areas after protesters set a house near the Them Iew Mawlong locality on fire and threw stones and petrol bombs at security personnel in which least 10 people were left injured in violence and arson the previous night.
Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah was injured after being hit by a rod, and was taken to Shillong Civil Hospital, a police officer told PTI. The clashes broke out in the city between two groups following an argument between a woman and a bus conductor. Later, the situation took worst turn and curfew was first imposed in some parts of the city early on Friday.
Meghalaya: Visuals from Shillong. Curfew remains imposed, internet services suspended in parts of the city after clash broke out between two groups following escalation of an argument between a woman & a bus conductor. pic.twitter.com/ZlXm48XehE
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2018
The local Khasi community then started demanding that the government should act against illegal settlers. Miscreants tried to attack residents in Punjabi Lane in the Motphran locality, The Tribune reported. Director General of Police SB Singh said the situation was “totally under control”, and the police were on high alert. About 700 Sikh families live in Punjabi Lane.
“Since the 1980s, they (Khasis) have been calling us illegal settlers and asking for us to be shifted out of this place. But we have been living here forever and we will stay here. That is our stand. Though several political leaders have over the years spoken of rehabilitating us to some other location, we have never seen anything concrete. It has just been empty talk,” Gurjeet Singh, general secretary of the Gurudwara Committee of Punjabi Lane, said.
First published: 3 June 2018, 12:21 IST