SHILLONG: Unidentified persons lobbed a petrol bomb at the residence of West Shillong constituency MLA Paul Lyngdoh on Monday morning.
No one was injured in the incident that took place at 5am.
Speaking to reporters Lyngdoh said the petrol bomb landed on the room of a security guard.
The MLA suspected that the incident could be the handiwork of his political rival, Mohendro Rapsang (of Congress), who is poised for a direct fight with the sitting MLA in next year’s Assembly elections in the state.
“Mohendro Rapsang has been campaigning in a very aggressive style since the past few months. I have contested elections on three occasions and have never fought against our opponents in this manner,” he said.
Terming the incident as provocative, Lyngdoh said paid goons of his political rivals had committed the crime.
Recalling another incident, which happened on Saturday (Sept 16), he alleged that some Rapsang supporters had gone around the constituency shouting slogans like ‘on the hand’ (the symbol of Congress) at 2am in the morning while passing by his residence.
“In the past 15 years we have been able to conduct ourselves as civilized human beings but when somebody wishes to win by hook or by crook then it poses a danger to democracy because then you will start looking at your opponents as enemies who will have to be crushed,” he said.
Lyngdoh further urged the police to take appropriate action against the perpetrators of the crime.
The MLA also said he would take up with the deputy commissioner about a Congress office in the locality remaining open till 3-4 am.
“If the office is meant to mobilize support then I don’t understand why it remains open till the early hours,” Lyngdoh said.
D Medhi, a supporter of Lyngdoh and member of the UDP youth wing residing at Bishops Fall in Mawprem, alleged that one Mike Pakyntein came to his house along with 30 people at 12.30am on September 15 and threatened him with dire consequences.
He informed that a day after the incident some people passed by his house at 2.30am in the morning and started shouting slogans like ‘Paul Lyngdoh murdabad’, ‘D Medhi murdabad,’ and ‘D Medhi you are not safe, be careful’.
“These people who have threatened me are with Mohendra Rapsang and I have filed an FIR at Jhalupara outpost on September 15,” he said.
When contacted, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Davis N Marak said an FIR has been lodged in this regard.
He also said some names have been given and that the police would look into the matter.
UDP demands probe
Monday’s petrol bomb incident prompted the UDP to demand a thorough probe into the matter.
Condemning the incident UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said the attack on the residence of a public representative was a matter of concern. “We don’t recall anything like this in Shillong and the party (UDP) has taken a serious view of the incident.”
Claiming that the incident was linked to the “political battle”, Mawthoh asked the government and the authorities to be more vigilant of the situation in West Shillong constituency.
“If we find any connection between the attack and rival political groups or the candidates, then we will take up the matter with the appropriate authorities at an appropriate time,” he added.
The party’s Lumkshaid unit, meanwhile, expressed concern over the “savage” behavior of the miscreants.
The unit condemned the act labeled the perpetrators as “cowards” for taking advantage of the elections to invoke fear among the voters ahead of the 2018 polls.
The party also urged the concerned authorities to take action and arrest those responsible for the attack.
UDP leader from Garo Hills Arun N Marak also condemned the attack on party legislator Paul Lyngdoh’s residence.
Demanding immediate arrest of the culprits, he said, “It is political rivalry and not personal enmity.”
