Imphal, 24 July (MTNews): In another report of violence emanating from the NE India region, a mob attack at the office of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in Tura has reportedly left five security personnel injured. However, Sangma was left unharmed.
CM Sangma announced Rs 50,000 each for the police personnel who were injured while on duty and assured that all medical expenses will be borne by the state government.
It may be noted that Garo Hills-based civil society groups have been on a hunger strike demanding for a winter capital in Tura, Meghalaya.
Trouble started this evening when hundreds of people gathered outside the Chief Minister’s office and started pelting stones. Five security personnel were reported injured in the incident and were brought inside Sangma’s office. Visuals showed the injured security personnel lying on the floor while Sangma tended to them.
The situation is under control but tense, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
As the chief minister was holding a key meeting with the protesting civil bodies including the A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) among others, regarding the winter capital in Tura, they started hearing voices of people shouting outside.
Amid this, a crowd in huge numbers gathered outside the compound and started their agitation. Soon, the mob also pelted stones and hit the windows of the office. A video of the scene showed the mob violently throwing chairs and other pieces of furniture at the gate of the office.
Sangma has asked the protesters to meet for a discussion on the winter capital demand and job reservation. He asked the organizations to end their protest before they can begin talks in the state capital next month.
Sources said Sangma had been discussing the matter with the civil society organizations for over three hours, when some people in the crowd – allegedly not part of the groups – gathered outside the Chief Minister’s office and started throwing stones. The police are reported to have fired tear-gas to control the crowd.
Meanwhile, night curfew has been imposed in Tura as the situation continues to remain tense.