Minorities Commission to probe Shillong violence

The National Commission for Minorities chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi on Monday said that an NCM member will investigate the Khasi-Punjabi clashes in Meghalaya capital Shillong.

“We are sending our member Manjit Singh Rai from Punjab for a probe and he will file a report based on which the future course of action will be decided. He will go tomorrow and return on Wednesday. He will meet all those affected,” PTI quoted Hasan as saying.

Besides, a four-member delegation sent by Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh met Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma at state Secretariat in Shillong. During the meeting, the Meghalaya CM assured them of safety and security to every Sikh family living in Shillong.

Violence broke out last Thursday after a bus handyman – a boy from Khasi community – was allegedly assaulted by a group of residents of Them Metor area following an altercation with a Punjabi woman.

According to some local sources, the altercation between the boy and the woman took place over the issue bus parking in front of a public water tap.

The small altercation led to the violence in the otherwise peaceful Shillong. At least 10 people, including a police officer, were injured in the clashes. Rioting mob also set a house, a shop and five vehicles on fire.

Even four days after the clashes, the situation remained tense on Monday as fresh bouts of violence erupted on Sunday night.

“Around 400 protesters pelted stones on a CRPF camp near Mowlai Bridge in Shillong last night in wake of curfew imposed following a fight between a woman and a bus conductor,” ANI quoted CRPF IG Prakash D as saying.

After the fresh incidents of stone pelting on Sunday night, the home ministry has deployed around 1,000 central paramilitary personnel to tackle the situation in Shillong.

"At least 10 companies of paramilitary forces have been sent to Meghalaya. A company of paramilitary force comprises of 100 personnel," PTI quoted a top Union Home Ministry official as saying.